Guide Dogs Cymru take extra space at St Mellons, Cardiff

Guide Dogs Cymru support workers (l-r) Debbie Way, Charlotte Donald, Rachel Lord and Amy John at Eastern Business Park St Mellons, with dogs Bessie (left) and Ceri (golden retriever).

Guide Dogs Cymru has more than doubled the size of its premises at Eastern Business Park, St Mellons, Cardiff, owned by developers Robert Hitchins Ltd.

The charity’s mobility team has been based in 1,250 sq ft of offices at St Mellons since 2006 but space was tight.

“When we had all 30 staff in the office, and the numerous dogs in training, it was a real squeeze,” said Jonathan Mudd, head of Guide Dogs Cymru.

The extra 2,600 sq ft has been used to create a new meeting room, kitchen and as well as much-needed additional office space.

“We’ve now got a lovely big office that accommodates the whole team – it’s much better for the staff and the dogs,” said Jonathan.

Guide Dogs Cymru has fundraising groups throughout the whole of Wales and more than 1,500 volunteers.

It offers services to blind and partially-sighted people and campaigns for better access to services and transport, and freedom of mobility.

Eastern Business Park is a campus-style, modern complex on the eastern outskirts of the city with excellent access to the M4 and A48.  Its three buildings offer a total 160,000 sq ft and benefit from a restaurant, fitness suite, conference facility, meeting rooms, children’s nursery, excellent car parking, 24-hour access and on-site management provided by landlords Robert Hitchins Ltd.

It was built in 1980, extended in 1994 and has since been substantially upgraded.

Other tenants include architects Powell Dobson, Thrupoint Ltd, E-On UK plc, Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd, Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and Linea Resourcing and Aspiration Training.

The joint agents are Jones Lang LaSalle and Huw Thomas Commercial Property Consultancy.

Property and Development Director for Robert Hitchins, Simon Tothill, said: “It’s great to have Guide Dogs as a tenant and we’re glad we were able to accommodate their requirement for more space.

“Eastern Business Park offers extremely flexible, modern office space in a great location close to the M4 and with easy access to Cardiff city centre. The on-site facilities enable us to create a campus-style business community.

“At Robert Hitchins, we’re seeing increased levels of activity across South Wales and we continue to work with the business community and local organisations to develop and offer new opportunities.”

Robert Hitchins Ltd, based in Gloucestershire, is one of the leading and most respected property companies in the South West and South Wales with a long history of delivering property solutions to suit occupier requirements. It provides the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.