The announcement that Legal & General have formed a JV with Rightacres to develop out the one million sq ft Central Square redevelopment in Cardiff city centre is a fantastic boost to Cardiff and South Wales as a whole. Chancellor George Osborne said it was a major vote of confidence in the Welsh economy; it is also a sign of confidence in the commercial property market in the region. Director Graham Davies, who has provided investment advice to Rightacres on a variety of opportunities at the location comments:

Cooke & Arkwright's Industrial Agency has secured a letting for a 47,000 sq ft unit at Treforest Industrial Estate to Orangebox, one of Wales' top office furniture manufacturers. Acting with joint agents DLP Surveyors, we advised the landlord Blog Properties on the deal. Cooke & Arkwright has been providing advice on this 85,250 sq ft property for over 25 years, including latterly the sale of the building to Hutchings, Griffin Mill and Blog Properties for £1.5m.

Cooke & Arkwright's Investment agency team have advised a private investor on the acquisition of the 30, 440 sq ft  Carpetright store on Newport Road, Cardiff for £2.2m. The recently refurbished store is let in its entirety to Carpetright Plc until 2024 and the deal represents a net initial yield of 8.50%. Director Graham Davies commented, "The acquisition of Carpetright by a local commercial property investor demonstrates growing confidence in Newport Road as a location. 

Wales' largest independent commercial property specialists have been recognised as an official supplier to the Cardiff Blues, marking a ten year relationship which has seen the club save more than £550,000 in business rates. Cooke & Arkwright provides a number of high profile sporting venues with consultancy and advice.

10,000 sq ft of new lettings at Friars Walk have brought Queensberry’s retail and leisure development in Newport to 85% let, with less than five weeks to go before it opens on 12 November. Retailers Jack and Jones, Tiger and The Body Shop, have signed up joining Next, H&M, Top Shop, New Look and River Island, plus a 95,000 sq ft Debenhams store.

Cooke & Arkwright’s Retail Agency team has let a unit to fast-growing Danish jewellery retailer Pandora, in a prime section of High Street in Merthyr Tydfil. The high profile letting which has been acquired by Pandora franchisee, David Christopher Ltd, will provide a welcome boost to the town when it opens in time for Christmas.