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Top story
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Cardiff ahead in the transport race
Cardiff is the easiest city in the UK to get around but still needs a link between the M4 and the Bay, a report by property consultancy GVA Grimley has found. The Welsh capital came top of GVA’s Transport Friendly Towns survey, up from third in 2003 when the study was started, thanks mainly to improvements in rail service levels. Bristol came in the bottom of the survey, as it was in 2003. Tim Gent, director at GVA Grimley in Cardiff, said: “Part of Cardiff’s success is because of its transport demand levels, which are comparatively low relative to other cities. Road network and transport expenditure by the local authority is also above average. A key ingredient to future success is the Eastern Bay Link, which is an urgent priority for the city.” GVA calculated its rankings by looking at the relationship between transport supply and demand, and property.
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Deals
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Capita snaps up health researcher
Outsourcing giant Capita Group has bought health information provider Cardiff Research Consortium (CRC) as part of a £11.6m acquisition. Capita, based in London, acquired CRC, based at Heath Park in Cardiff, as part of its purchase of informatics group CHKS, which had bought CRC in 2006. Paul Pindar, chief executive of Capita Group, said: “This acquisition will add important expertise to Capita’s range of health services and complements the work we are doing for NHS Choices in developing the way the NHS connects with the public.” CRC, headed by founder and managing director Phil McEwan, provides consulting, research and data to the NHS, pharmaceutical companies and reimbursers.
A case of recovery for Chevler
The former management team of Chevler Packaging has bought out the company’s cases business at Hengoed near Caerphilly. The sale was arranged by administrators Richard Hawes and Robin Allen of Deloitte. The new company, to be called Chevler, will employ 42 staff. Chevler Packaging also operated a plastic packaging business in Bristol, which ceased trading when Deloitte was appointed on 10 February.
Shanks sells to Sita
Shanks, the waste management group, has sold its South Wales operation to Sita UK. The Swansea-based business collects, recycles and disposes of commercial and industrial waste from more than 750 customers across South Wales. It was sold as part of Shanks Group’s plans to focus on its three core areas: Scotland, the East Midlands and the area north of London. Shanks was advised by Ward Hadaway.
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Companies
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Publisher folds
Swansea-based publishing group Avagio has gone into liquidation. The company, run by Laurence Winmill, published titles including Swansea Life and Cardiff Living. Accounting firm Stones & Co is understood to have been appointed as liquidator.
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Property and construction
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Redrow rebuilding on track
Redrow, the Flintshire-based housebuilder, says it is ahead of its target to cut its debt to £225m by June and able to make cost savings of £40m a year. The company this morning said it had made a pre-tax loss of £46.2m in the six months to December, compared with a £35.8m profit in the same period a year earlier. Revenues plunged to £149.5m from £353.1m a year before. Chairman Alan Bowkett said: “We will continue our commitment to forward land and the improvement of our core product to offer a compelling proposition to homebuyers. There remains a requirement for new homes in the UK that meet the aspirations and needs of customers when economic and homebuyer confidence is restored.”
Mi-Space in Barry
Mi-Space, the affordable housing division of the Midas Group, has been signed up by Newydd Housing Association in Barry to build 20 homes. The company demolished five houses on Main Street and will build five houses and 15 apartments. Newydd is a subsidiary of the Cadarn Housing Group and manages nearly 2,500 homes across South and Mid Wales.
Town deals for Powell Dobson
Powell Dobson Urbanists, the urban design and regeneration consultancy, has won seven commissions from five Welsh councils. The contracts, won by competitive tender, are for South Wales authorities that want to create frameworks to guide new investment and aid regeneration. They include commissions for Lower Oxford Street in Swansea and the town centres of Pontardawe, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Treharris and Abersychan. Managing partner Martin Sullivan said: “The success of any strategy for these towns will rely on the level of partnership that exists between the authorities, the local business communities and, of course, the local population being prepared to spend time and money where it is most needed, in our towns and village centres.”
Lyte signs up Liberty
Swansea-based Liberty Properties has been commissioned by ladder maker Lyte Industries to build its new factory at Baglan near Port Talbot. Lyte has submitted a planning application to Neath Port Talbot Council to build the £8m facility, which it hopes will have better access to customers than its present base at Ystradgynlais on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. Supermarket group Tesco has submitted plans for a store on the Ystradgynlais site, which will also feature ten small business units. Lyte is also preparing bids to the Welsh Assembly’s Single Investment Fund (SIF) for new manufacturing technology processes, a research and product development centre, and a manufacturing and productivity centre of excellence.
Dovey submits Tenby plans
Cardiff-based developer Dovey Estates has submitted plans for a residential and mixed-use scheme for the centre of Tenby to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. It will include a “landmark” building at the town’s northern gateway as well as homes, shops, residential and retail facilities for the town. It includes the site of the former Royal Gatehouse Hotel, and adjoining properties. C2J will act as architect and town planning consultant.
LSH gets Access
Kenmore Property Group has signed up Lambert Smith Hampton to let the manufacturing and distribution facility Access 34, one of the biggest such buildings in South Wales. The 257,707 sq ft centre in Llantrisant occupies a 15.72-acre site close to the Royal Mint.
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