Central Cardiff base for French Centre

L-R: Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development, Cardiff County Council; Kate Simpson of LSH; Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Director of Cardiff French Centre & Rhydian Morris, Director of JLL

Joint commercial property agents Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) and JLL have succeeded in letting a 6,000 sq ft Georgian style office building to Cardiff French Centre on Charles Street in central Cardiff.

47 Charles Street which is part of Landore Court, a four building block of terraced offices, has been let on a 10 year term to the French business and educational centre.

Cardiff French Centre is dedicated to teaching the French language and promoting the French culture. It will host The Alliance Française de Cardiff which is part of a world network which has sister organisations in other areas of the UK and this move to Landore Court represents its first foothold in Wales.

“This is the ideal building and location for us,” comments Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Director of Cardiff French Centre, “as not only do we teach French to our students we also provide them with the opportunity to learn about and experience our culture through, for example, cookery classes and films. The size and layout of the accommodation lends itself to these needs perfectly. As well, we plan to serve French wine and patisseries in the cafe and members’ bar on the ground floor.”

“Cardiff French Centre was looking for stand-out space in relation to both the look and location,” says Kate Simpson Head of LSH’s Office Agency team.

“I’m confident they have found this in 47 Charles Street and we are so pleased they selected our building as their Welsh home and very much look forward to welcoming them to Cardiff.”

Rhydian Morris, Director of JLL commented: “47 Charles Street provides the right environment for the tenant and the location will help support its success too.  The surrounding location has undergone major redevelopment over the last few years, especially with the addition of the 220,000 sq ft Admiral headquarters and the one million sq ft St David’s shopping centre.”

Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development at Cardiff County Council, adds: ”I am delighted The French Centre will  be set up in Cardiff City Centre and will host The Alliance Française de Cardiff.

“This educational and cultural charity is the official organisation dedicated to teaching the French language and spreading the Francophone culture in Wales. The Cardiff centre is the newest in the UK and is a great coup for Cardiff. The centre will have a role in encouraging inward investment from France into Cardiff and Wales.

“I am pleased the Council team could work proactively and collectively with the local team and the French Government in bringing this investment to our capital city. The French centre follows on from the recently established Welsh Cultural Centre in the Old Library and helps to further reinforce and diversify the cultural base of our Capital City.”