Wales communities - Canton

Lettings agency expands as homes sales slump boosts rental market

2009-01-14T10:51:31Z

THE slump in the housing market is big business for estate agent CPS Homes, writes Sarah Miloudi.

After opening its flagship office in Cardiff Bay almost eight years ago, the lettings and sales firm is branching out and will add a Pontcanna office to its portfolio of city branches next month.

While the falling housing market has forced other estate agents, including Darlows and Halifax, to consider closing branches and laying off staff, Dan Murphy said it has proved profitable for CPS .

"Historically, whenever there is a housing slump, the rental market booms, as people who want to own their own home but can't quite afford it, will let while they save up their deposits," said Dan, who will become CPS' senior property adviser at the new branch.

"You also find there will be fewer properties on the market, and this means landlords tend to get the price they want for renting as opposed to negotiating, as they sometimes do when the market is flooded."

Dan, a relative newcomer to CPS after starting with the firm 18 months ago, said the estate agent's owner, Barrie James, has no concerns about expanding during a financial downturn.

Only the firm's negotiation and property maintenance arm has felt the pinch in recent months, as some landlords now carry out repairs to properties themselves rather than hiring tradesmen.

But, overall, the buoyancy in the rentals market tends to counteract this, and Dan added that the type of business CPS relies upon has also helped it weather the economic storm.

He said: "Because we are not reliant on sales we are not really affected by the change in the property market in the same way other agents have reported.

"Our business is split 10% sales and 90% rentals, and because this main market usually tends to be good, expanding seems like the right thing to do. Rentals aren't just kept afloat by people looking to buy. Students moving to the city need homes, and so too do young professionals."

The firm's new office, which opens on February 1, will cater mainly for young professionals, in contrast to the existing branches in Roath's Albany Road, Miskin Street in Cathays and Bedwas Business Park in Caerphilly.

The firm also expects to act as a negotiator and will inspect properties and liaise with tenants on behalf of landlords not in Wales.

By Sarah Miloudi, South Wales Echo
sarah.miloudi@mediawales.co.uk

Suspended sentence for spray importer

2009-01-14T10:51:31Z

A CARDIFF man who tried to import banned pepper sprays has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Carl Dawkes, 21, of Northumberland Street, Canton, admitted trying to import 15 Police OC/17 Magnum Pen pepper sprays, which contain a chemical irritant, into the UK through the post.

The sprays can cause temporary blindness.

He was yesterday given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years, a 200-hour community service order and a £200 fine towards the cost of the case, at Cardiff Crown Court.

Speaking after the case, Andrew Pavlinic, assistant director of Investigation for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "While legally available in many foreign countries, pepper sprays are illegal in the UK.

"Carl Dawkes' excuse was that he had no idea that the pepper sprays were illegal.

"Yet he deliberately gave a delivery address which differed to his home address, suggesting that he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Clearly items of this nature in the wrong hands have the potential to fuel other criminality and are a real threat to public safety.

"HMRC takes the illegal importation of offensive weapons very seriously and this successful interception means that we have taken 15 dangerous sprays off the streets of South Wales."

The court heard Dawkes ordered the items from an exporter in Newark, USA. The packaged sprays were intercepted by HMRC officers at a postal depot in February 2008.

The parcel, addressed to Dawkes at a Cardiff address, was described by the US exporter as key fobs/chains.

Three charged with dad's South Africa murder are freed

2009-01-09T14:55:17Z

THREE men who appeared in court charged with murdering a South Wales dad have been freed because of a lack of evidence.

Detectives hunting Stephen Peters' killers are desperately seeking forensic clues to trace the thugs who shot him during a bungled robbery in South Africa last September.

Officers are also still searching for the 9mm handgun used to kill the 52-year-old.

Three suspects, also charged with robbery, were bailed after last year's court appearance while the probe continues. South African police insisted this was "normal".
Police commander Andre Wiese said: "We're investigating three of the suspects.

"They have appeared in court but due to a lack of evidence it has been referred back to us for further investigation."

The men, aged 25 to 30, were from a nearby township.

Mr Wiese said: "They were released pending further investigation.

What we are doing is certain forensic investigations in terms of fingerprints and so on to see whether we can link them to the scene.

"We feel quite confident about the case but we know sometimes it is very difficult.

"But you need to have forensic evidence to link them to the scene."

He hoped the killers would be caught within the next month, but admitted it could take longer.

He added: "It seems as if it was a one-off. It looks like that, but o

"Only time will tell whether we can link them to other scenes."

Dad-of-three Mr Peters, from Canton, was visiting Centurion, Pretoria, when he was shot at 3.15am in front of his wife Ann and niece Siobhan Forman after three intruders broke into her house.

He and Ann were in the country to say goodbye to Ann's terminally ill sister, Mandy Barcoe, 51.

The builder died after pleading with the robbers, who broke in through a bedroom window, to take anything but not to hurt his family.

Mr Wiese said: "It happens from time to time, it's a robbery. It depends on the circumstances. Sometimes people try to defend their families and people start shooting."

After Mr Peters was killed, his wife and Ms Forman were tied up with shoe laces and belts for 45 minutes.

Then the gunmen made off in the family's Mercedes with mobile phones and a computer. The car was dumped nearby.

Ms Forman said: "They just left his body on the floor.

"He was so brave. He was just trying to protect us all."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are still working with the family and the embassy will provide anything they need."

By James McCarthy, South Wales Echo
james.mccarthy@mediawales.co.uk

Course offers advice for the long-term ill

2009-01-09T14:55:17Z

PATIENTS living with a long-term illness are being offered the chance to help themselves manage their condition with special six-week courses in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The free NHS courses are also available to those who are caring for someone with a long-term health condition and are run by the Expert Patients Programme.

The self-help courses are aimed at supporting people with a chronic condition and their carers, offering them the chance to get lifestyle help and advice, and help to learn to relax, become more confident and solve problems.

Carol Stingl, the Expert Patient Programme co-ordinator in the Vale, said: "The aim of these courses is to give people the skills they need to help them live with, or care for, someone with a long-term health condition.

"It gives people a chance to meet others in similar situations and to get advice and support on a range of issues which can really make a positive difference to their lives."

The courses run for two and a half hours a week for six weeks and take place on January 12 at Llantwit Major Clinic, 1.30pm - 4pm; January 13 at Albert Road Community Hall, Penarth, 10am - 12.30pm; February 27 at Barry Library, 10am - 12.30pm; January 13 at Uniting Church, next to Somerfield, Cowbridge Road East, Canton, 1.30pm - 4pm; January 14 at Maes y Coed Community Centre, Caerphilly Road, Heath, 1.30pm - 4pm; January 16 at Albany Road Baptist Hall, Roath, 10am - 12.30pm.

Those interested in taking part should call Carol Stingl or Carol Young on 029 2035 0620.

Christmas presents boost for Chapter Arts Centre

2009-01-06T10:38:33Z

BUYING bricks, cinema seats and sponsoring a builder helped raise nearly £11,000 towards a culture hotspot's revamp.

Supporters of Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, Cardiff, delved into its range of alternative Christmas gifts in the run-up the festive period.

Bosses offered quirky present ideas including artwork from Super Furry Animals album sleeve creator Pete Fowler and animator Joanna Quinn - nominated for Oscars for Famous Fred in 1998 and Chaucer's Wife of Bath in 1999 - bricks being used in the centre's expansion and "adopting" builders working on the £3.8m redevelopment programme.

Fundraising officer Elaina Gray said: "Adopting one of our builders was just one of our slightly off-the-wall gift ideas which really seemed to capture the imagination of our customers.

"Smellies and socks are all very well, but it's nice to give something that shows you've given the present and the person involved some real thought.

"The gift came with the added bonus and feel-good factor of helping Chapter with its redevelopment programme."

She added: "All money raised will go directly towards this exciting project so future generations can continue to enjoy the facilities which are at the heart of the community.

"Of course, the limited edition prints could also prove to be sound investments for the future and may even increase in value."

The year-long revamp is due to finish this spring and Chapter, which was founded in 1971 on the site of the old Canton High School, needs just £300,000 to plug a funding gap.

Once complete, Chapter's front and back entrances will have been transformed, its two cinemas and theatre will be fully refurbished and the gallery improved.

The redevelopment will expand the cafe bar into the existing outdoor terrace, increasing the space by 40%.

Bosses expect the revamp to boost annual visitor numbers from 500,000 to 600,000, with 150 voluntary organisations relying on the facility for the delivery of workshops, courses and events.

The Arts Council of Wales is by far the redevelopment's biggest donor, contributing £1.75m towards the project.

Last mix is picked at Woolworths

2009-01-06T10:38:33Z

THE last remaining Woolworths stores across South Wales and the UK will close their doors for the final time at the end of trading today.

The closures of stores including those in Bridgend, Penarth, Pontypridd and Canton's Cowbridge Road East, bring to an end a massive clearance sale which even saw the stores' fixtures and fittings sold off at bargain prices.

The collapse leaves 27,000 workers out of work.

The firm's 807 stores have been closing in stages throughout the final weeks of December after selling off stock, fixtures and fittings at discount prices. The final 200 were expected to close yesterday but administrator Deloitte gave the chain a brief reprieve to shift the remaining stock and allow final arrangements to be made.

Mark Regan, store manager of Woolworths in Pontypridd, said: "It's a fact that jobs are going - about 40 people will lose their jobs. A lot of my team have been here 20 to 30 years. It's not just a job, it's a family - it's a way of life.

"A lot of people have been generally upset, asking where they are going to go in Pontypridd.

"I haven't found another job yet. It's the wrong time of year to be looking for a job."

John Krizman, 45, an accountant, of Efail Isaf, Pontypridd, said: "It is sad that it's closing. Pontypridd will miss it. I have gone in there occasionally, but it's a bit outdated now. It's the way a lot of the stores are going at the moment."

Julie Phelps, 38, a care worker and PA, of Porth, Rhondda, said: "It's really sad.

There's hardly any stock left here.

It's sad to watch people hunting for bargains while people are losing their jobs. I did a lot of my Christmas shopping here, I'll definitely miss the store."

Deloitte would not confirm how much money has been raised by the stock sale but many stores have been emptied by bargain hunters.

It has held talks with other retailers to take on the leases of around 300 Woolworths stores and hopes to sell off the Ladybird children's clothing and Chad Valley toy brands.

Dragons' Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis showed an interest in buying parts of the collapsed chain.

But after days of negotiation at the start of last month, Mr Paphitis, who made his fortune by turning around companies including stationery business Ryman and the Contessa and La Senza lingerie chains, said it had not been possible to reach a deal with administrators from Deloitte.

Mr Paphitis said: "My vision was that we could retain the Woolworths brand name through purchasing a large share of the existing retail business. This would have involved providing a secure future for as many employees as possible."

Stricter rules could delay cremations

2008-12-15T15:12:27Z

A FUNERAL director is warning families could be forced to wait weeks to cremate a loved one under new Government legislation.

Tighter rules surrounding cremation - introduced in the wake of the Harold Shipman murder trial in 2000 - are due to become active from January 1, 2009.

The rules are aimed at stopping the actions of rogue health professionals going unnoticed, but a Cardiff funeral director says they could result in weeks of distress for his customers.

Andrew Forse, manager of Pidgeon and Sons Funeral Directors, in Cowbridge Road East, Canton said: "Our main concern is the undue distress added to the grieving families and friends who bring their loved ones to us to be cremated.

"Christmas and the winter period is our busiest time of year, yet the Ministry of Justice decides to bring in these new laws right in the middle of it."

Under the new rules, two doctors will be required to discuss a patient's medical history when they die - and only when the two doctors have signed the medical certificates, can the body be released for cremation.

After the form has been completed by the doctors, the deceased's family have 48 hours to challenge the findings and cremation cannot be authorised for 24 hours following the inspection.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The new regulations will enable relatives to draw the medical referee's attention to any concerns about unexpected symptoms or discrepancies in a case.

"The process might affect the timing of the funeral in those cases, but this needs to be balanced against addressing any concerns the family may have about the cause of death. There is the same number of forms under the new system as under the current one."

But John Pidgeon, managing director of the funeral home, said: "I do not believe the right to view and challenge such information should be placed at the end of the funeral procedure, but at the beginning."

He added: "We understand the British Medical Association considers certain phrasing of questions to be contentious and their members (doctors) may choose not to complete the form.

"There is no legal obligation on a doctor to complete the cremation form. Essentially no doctors form, no cremation except via coroner's postmortem or private postmortem, at a very large expense."

A spokeswoman for Cardiff Bereavement Services said: "Cardiff council as a cremation authority work within cremation law and design our processes to ensure compliance."

By Tim Lewis, South Wales Echo
tim.lewis@mediawales.co.uk

Free advice on your cash

2008-12-12T12:29:34Z

A LEADING British bank is offering free advice at eight Cardiff branches.

NatWest has announced that it was extending its MoneySense service to non-customers at branches in Canton, Cardiff Bay, Llandaff, Llanishen, Queen Street, Roath, St Mary Street and Whitchurch.

As part of the service, the Royal Bank of Scotland- owned bank will provide advisers trained by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service to offer free financial advice.

Malcolm Hurlston, chairman of the CCCS, said: "This is an important first step in broadening our reach from helping Britons in debt to helping people with the whole of their financial lives, first face to face and then online. Our training division is fast and efficient and ready to support."

City fans to get plastic drinking glasses in crackdown

2008-12-08T12:04:56Z

CARDIFF City fans will have to drink from plastic glasses in a bid to beat alcohol-related injuries around games.

The city centre big-match plastic pint pot rule is being expanded to Canton and Grangetown when the Bluebirds are playing at home in Sloper Road.

South Wales Police said there had been a rise in violent crime in the area during the last six months and the scheme was aimed at reducing glassing incidents.

All drinkers will have to use plastic containers instead of glasses or bottles during Saturday home games and any midweek games.

Some 19 pubs in Grangetown and the Cowbridge Road East area of Canton have signed up to the scheme which will also reduce the amount of glass left lying around in the street.

Chief Inspector Steve Murray said the force wanted to get the scheme up and running before the opening of the Bluebirds' new Leckwith ground when it is anticipated attendances at matches could rise.

He said: "The aim is to get this initiative up and running prior to the new football stadium opening in 2009.

"None of this would be possible without the co-operation and enthusiasm of the local licensees for which we are extremely grateful.

"The vast majority of customers and visitors are responsible when using glass and bottles. However we want to reduce the potential for injury.

"I wish to reassure the community that Canton and Grangetown are both safe places to work and visit and this scheme will simply make them safer."

Between April and October this year, there has been a 4% decrease in violent crime in Cardiff but there has been an 11% rise in Canton.

A spokeswoman said this was due to the growing night-time economy and proactive policing leading to more arrests.

Licensing officers Pc Tony Roach and Pc Lynda Howells have led the scheme with the support of Cardiff Community Safety Partnership.

The pubs taking part

Admiral Napier, Cowbridge Road East
Canton Hotel, Llandaff Road
The Maltings, Cowbridge Road East
The Corporation, Cowbridge Road East
Kings Castle, Cowbridge Road East
Robins Bar, Cowbridge Road East
Ivor Davies, Cowbridge Road East
The Foresters, Cowbridge Road East
Canton Cross Vaults, Leckwith Road
Insole Arms, Harvey Street
Ninian Park Hotel, Leckwith Road
Cornwall Hotel, Cornwall Street
Lansdowne Hotel, Beda Road
The Goscombe, Cowbridge Road East
The Neville, ClareRoad
Butchers Arms, Llandaff Road
The Westgate, Lower Cathedral Road
The Grange, Penarth Road
Potters Bar, Leckwith Road

Woolies holding 'biggest-ever' sale

2008-12-08T12:04:56Z

WOOLWORTHS got in on the act with the announcement of the company's "biggest-ever sale" with 50% cuts on some lines.

But shoppers seemed unimpressed with the doomed company's bid to clear stock.
Joanne Mclaggon, 53, of Ely, Cardiff, visited the Woolworths store on Cowbridge Road East, Canton.

She said: "I've picked up some toys but not everything is discounted by half.

"It's not the greatest stuff in the world."

Vernette Jones, 53, a retired civil servant, of Pontcanna, Cardiff, said: "If you want some children's clothes, you do get a big discount.

"There's paint which is £5, which is £4 less than some other shops down the road, but nothing to get you too excited."

Neville Kahn, joint administrator and reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, said: "There is continuing interest in the core Woolworths business and the sale will continue whilest potential buyers finalise their plans for the purchase of the business."

Joe clears out toys to raise charity cash

2008-12-08T12:04:56Z

AN ENTERPRISING eight-year-old has used a clear-out of his old toys to raise more than £70 to help fight eczema.

Joe Wiggin held a table-top sale in his home in Canton, and in just two hours had raised the cash which he is now donating to the Eczema Society.

Keen footballer and Lego fanatic Joe, who has had eczema from birth, said: "I'm really pleased.

"I thought we might be able to raise this much money - and we did."

Joe says he was inspired to hold the sale - his first fundraising event for the Eczema Society - after talking to his mum, Sarah, about what to do with old toys for which he no longer had room.

"I've moved bedrooms and I don't have so much room for things in my new room," said Joe, a pupil of Welsh- medium school Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna.

"I thought about taking my things to a charity shop, but the Eczema Society doesn't have any shops, so my mum said I could hold a fundraising sale at home."

As well as Joe's toys, friends donated items for sale and his parents Derek and Sarah helped Joe and his sister Lili, four, to bake cakes and festive cookies for sale.

Joe has suffered from eczema since he was born. He is about to embark on a course of light therapy at Cardiff University of Wales Hospital Cardiff.

Stars' Cameo role in refit

2008-12-05T12:52:48Z

A PRIVATE members' club in the affluent suburb of Pontcanna has completed a £650,000 refit and expansion.

The Cameo Club, which counts actor John Barrowman and opera singer Bryn Terfel among its members, has opened a new bistro after acquiring an adjoining property - as well as giving the club a stylish new look.

The Cameo is jointly owned by Huw Davies and television presenter Rhodri Williams.
Their new bistro, which is open to non-members, has sitting capacity of 40 and offers an all-day menu.

The co-directors have invested £250,000 of their own money in upgrading the club's offer.

Mr Davies said: "We believe that, even in this challenging economic climate, our new concept and excellent location will mean that, if any continental cafe bar is going to thrive, then it is us."

And the initial revenue signs have been encouraging since the new-look club and bistro was unveiled in October.

Mr Davies said; "Turnover to date has been 30% higher than before the refit.

"Our revenue on the day of the Wales v New Zealand international rugby match last month was a record in the history of the business and for the Australia international it was the third highest."

For its current financial year to September, Mr Davies said the club - owned by the Pontcanna Pub Company which also has a 50% stake in coffee bar One at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay- is projecting a record turnover of £750,000.

However, it is not anticipating driving profit margins, following its significant fundraising, for a number of years.

Mr Davies said: "Rhodri and I are taking a long-term view, which is why we have invested in facilities which Pontcanna can be proud of."

For the current financial year the club is forecasting membership fees contributing between 10-15% of turnover.

A new membership scheme has been launched, ranging from £95 per year for individuals to £450 for a new corporate deal which offers membership for six.

The club has a 1,400 existing membership database and to date has signed up 200 to the new scheme - which offers a 10% discount on all purchases in the club.

Advent Carol Service

2008-12-05T12:52:48Z

THE German Speaking Lutheran Church in South and West Wales invites you to an Advent Carol Service at the Methodist Church, Conway Road, Canton, on Sunday at 2pm.
Students of the Welsh College of Music, Cardiff will sing Christmas Carols in German, Welsh and English.

Father jailed for arson threats against wife and son

2008-12-04T12:25:08Z

A VIETNAMESE father could be deported after pouring petrol over his family home and threatening to burn his businesswoman wife.

A judge at Cardiff Crown Court jailed Sau Vu for two and half years yesterday, wed saying the ordeal was terrifying for Thi Hoai Huong Le, who runs a nail salon in Canton, and for her 15-year-old son who witnessed it.

One police officer called to their Mynachdy home said there was so much petrol around that the overwhelming smell forced him to step back outside.

Vu married Thi Le in London in 2001. The couple came to Cardiff, where they had two children together.

But in 2005 he had to return to Vietnam because his visa had expired. By the time he came back a year later, their relationship had deteriorated badly, prosecutor Nick Gedge told the court.

Ms Le suspected Vu wanted a divorce and only stayed with her for immigration reasons. The pair's arguments came to head on June 4, when he visited her shop carrying two empty petrol cans.

"He told her to remove her belongings from the house because he was going to burn it," Mr Gedge said.

"When she got home, there was a smell of petrol and he pulled her backwards by her hair when she tried to leave.

"When her son came to see what was wrong, Vu started pouring petrol over the room, then down the stairs as he went down, saying, 'If you don't die, I will' and he held out a cigarette lighter."

The teenager pushed him out through the front door and he was still there when the police arrived.

Vu later claimed the lighter hadn't been working and he had only wanted to frighten his wife and for her to sign an agreement he had drawn up.

Bob Hawkins, defending, said: "Nothing can excuse what he did - it was incredibly stupid and he's bitterly sorry.

"There had been a series of arguments and he accepts there was an attempt by him to get control over his wife but he still hopes to continue their relationship when he gets out."

Judge Eleri Rees told Vu of Kemys Place, Mynachdy, that she didn't know whether he would released after his sentence or further detained by the border control agencies in order to be deported.

Vu had pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and threatening to damage property.

by Catrin Pascoe, South Wales Echo
catrin.pascoe@mediawales.co.uk

Charity fashion show

2008-12-03T12:24:28Z

A CHARITY fashion show and auction of celebrity memorabilia will be held tonight at the Canton Liberal Club.

Donations from sportsmen including Steve Redgrave will feature at the club, which is situated in Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff.

Entry costs £3 and all proceeds will be donated to Wish House.

This is a charity which provides much-needed support for terminally ill children and their parents.

Doors open at 7.30pm.