Fordthorne buys former TB Davies factory at Penarth Road, Cardiff

Ford main dealer Fordthorne has purchased the former TB Davies industrial building on Penarth Road in Cardiff.

The company has purchased the 16,290 sq ft detached industrial warehouse unit, which sits on a half-acre site.  It already has its main car showroom premises on Penarth Road and plans to adapt and refurbish the new unit to create a commercial vehicle showroom and workshops.

The site was sold on behalf of former owner TB Davies (Cardiff) Ltd by commercial property consultancy Knight Frank, which also advised the family-owned TB Davies business in its £2.2m investment in a new base at Lewis Road in Cardiff Bay for its fast-growing ladders and access equipment business.

Neil Francis, partner in the industrial agency of Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “The Penarth Road is one of the main arterial routes into Cardiff city centre, and the building is highly visible.  With very few freehold opportunities coming to market in this area, the unit attracted considerable interest from a range of potential occupiers.”

Jeremy Symons of Cooke & Arkwright advised Fordthorne.  He said: “Fordthorne is creating a new Transit Centre Showroom and workshop.  The premises will showcase the FordStore in Cardiff and South East Wales.  The client is delighted to have secured the new building which, in turn, will create an additional 15 jobs.”