News

West Wales: Estate agent to benefit from takeover

Published

9 years ago

November 13, 2015

Tom Sinclair

John Francis branch in Tenby

COUNTRYWIDE PLC, the UK’s largest property services group, has increased its regional footprint in Swansea and across South Wales with the recent acquisition of leading estate and lettings agency, John Francis Estate Agents.

John Francis operates a 21 branch network covering Swansea and South Wales which serves all aspects of the property market, including services in residential sales and lettings, commercial sales, auctions, new homes and financial services. The business has a market leading reputation for its modern approach, IT innovations, high quality and professional customer service and knowledgeable and trained employees.

John Francis will continue to operate as normal under its well established brand name, managed by Directors Bethan Edmund–Harper and Richard Emmanuel. All employees will continue to work in their current roles while benefiting from Countrywide’s shared marketing and IT services, national scale and unrivalled property market insight.

Bethan Edmund-Harper, Director at John Francis Estate Agents, said: “We are delighted and excited to have joined the UK’s largest property services group. John Francis is a strong brand and a well known business in Swansea and across South Wales, and as part of Countrywide we believe that the business will continue to flourish and grow. The business will continue to trade as normal across our branch network and our employees will continue to deliver a high quality customer service as always.”

Established since 1999, John Francis has grown from strength to strength, driven by its former owners, Nigel Jones and Trevor Carr. Both Nigel and Trevor will continue to support the business in the short term as consultants, Nigel focusing mainly on property auctions and Trevor in new homes.

Nigel Jones, Former owner of John Francis Estate Agents, said: “Trevor and I are pleased to have sold John Francis to Countrywide, as we believe the business will continue to develop and benefit from their retail structure and strategy.

“Countywide particularly stood out to us as a business that focuses not only on its customers needs but also on the training and development of its employees. They can provide our employees with the opportunity to build on their current strong skills and achieve industry recognised qualifications.”

Bruce Evans, Commercial Director for Countrywide, said: “John Francis is the perfect fit for Countrywide, as the business has achieved a market leading position with a dedicated team of 130 employees that are renowned for delivering a high quality, reliable, honest and professional service.This business plays a key role in our retail division strategy, to expand our regional footprint and stand out as a responsible key player in the property industry.

“As the UK’s largest property services group, we are dedicated to bringing people and property together and make sure all of our customers are united with their dream home. We do this by developing a deep understanding of our customers and their needs, which is supported by our integrated group structure.”

A representative of John Francis told The Herald that the company had been informed about the deal on Monday, and that their customers had been notified by telephone yesterday (Nov 12).

“It’s exciting news; we’re getting backed by a major player to expand the John Francis brand,” they added.

“They will give us the latest technology, advertising support, and massive financial backing, which will enable us to grow the brand exponentially.”

News

Open day at new St Davids housing development

Published

9 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28^th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

News

Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

Published

11 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

Published

11 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Staff Writer

PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.