RCT Council has secured a tenant for two floors of office space at 2 Llys Cadwyn – with Firstsource Solutions UK Ltd the latest company to base itself at the development and join the local community in Pontypridd.
Llys Cadwyn is an office-led, mixed-use development totaling 160,000 sq ft which has transformed the derelict former Taff Vale Shopping Centre site with three modern and iconic buildings and a river walkway, connected to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park by a new footbridge. It has already welcomed Transport for Wales, Bradleys Coffee Shop and Gatto Lounge as tenants of 3 Llys Cadwyn (building nearest Gas Road).
The Council is operating 1 Llys Cadwyn (nearest Bridge Street) itself, which includes a 21st Century Library, customer contact point and a fitness centre.
Having continued to work closely with commercial property advisors JLL in relation to the development’s remaining space, the Council is pleased to announce that Firstsource is the new tenant for the ground floor and first floor of 2 Llys Cadwyn (centre building).
Firstsource is a leading global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) services. In the UK, Firstsource works with household names in Financial Services, Communications, Utilities, Media and Entertainment industries. The company employs 5,000 people across the UK with over 400 in South Wales, where it has been present since 2015.
Llys Cadwyn will host up to 200 office-based roles, while also functioning as a hub for hundreds of home-based employees. Taking this hybrid approach will allow Firstsource to create more employment opportunities in Pontypridd and across South Wales – with 200 new jobs expected within the next six months.
The Council can also confirm that positive discussions are ongoing with prospective tenants for the remaining three floors of office accommodation at 2 Llys Cadwyn, along with the A3 Food Unit located on the ground floor.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “It’s excellent news that Firstsource has become the latest tenant at Llys Cadwyn, joining Transport for Wales, Bradleys Coffee Shop and Gatto Lounge. The company is another established name to join the Pontypridd business community, with its global activity working with prestigious clients across several industries.
“The Council’s investment in Llys Cadwyn is at the heart of its regeneration of Pontypridd, and the office-led development is aimed at bringing employment to the town – boosting the local economy, increasing footfall and creating potential new customers for existing businesses. This has taken some time with the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic – however, Firstsource is the latest company to commit to Llys Cadwyn, and I’m very pleased that around 200 jobs will be supported for the benefit of the town.
“These are incredibly-exciting times for Pontypridd, with the Muni Arts Centre and Pontypridd YMCA projects also part of the current regeneration strategy for the town, along with major investment being delivered at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. Looking into the future, the Council is currently consulting on the next phase of regeneration, and residents can have their say on the Pontypridd Placemaking Plan up until March 29. This proposes five spatial areas for investment, and includes developing the Bingo Hall and M&S sites.
“I’d like to welcome Firstsource into the Pontypridd community, and wish them well for the start of their new operations at Llys Cadwyn. It is also very promising that the Council has received further interest in the remaining office space and food unit at 2 Llys Cadwyn, from prospective tenants.”
Paul Collings, Director of Operations at Firstsource, added: “We are excited to bring our operations to Pontypridd and to create more employment across South Wales in the long-term. The new positions will help local talent build careers in customer services. At the heart, we offer jobs that require empathy, and we are looking for people who enjoy building rapport.
“The 200 new roles will provide services to UK’s largest bank and a large utilities provider. The roles will benefit from hybrid and work from home options. All new joiners will receive full training and support so people from all backgrounds, education and employment histories are encouraged to apply.”
Rhydian Morris, Director of the Cardiff office of property advisory firm JLL, advised the Council on the letting. He added: “The high quality office specification, energy efficient design, supporting amenities and central location in Pontypridd town centre are a strong testament to the Council – and directly relate to the success of Llys Cadwyn. We are delighted to have secured Firstsource as the latest tenant of the scheme.”
Completed in autumn 2020, Llys Cadwyn was delivered by the Council in partnership with contractor Willmott Dixon and lead consultant Hydrock, thanks to significant investment via Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme.
The development won the Transformation Award among its accolades at the Cardiff Property Awards 2021, was identified as an ‘exemplar’ project and Highly Commended in the 2021 British Construction Industry Awards, was Highly Commended in the CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021, and won the Ystadau Cymru 2021 Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’.
