Business Details
Expert Commercial Property Services in Cardiff
Established in 1900, Cooke & Arkwright is Wales' largest independent commercial property consultancy. Our heritage spans over a century of shaping Welsh property markets through expert agency, valuation, and advisory services. With headquarters in Cardiff and a London hub, we combine local market intelligence with national reach across retail, office, industrial, rural, and residential sectors. Our director-led approach ensures clients receive tailored advice from professionals deeply embedded in Welsh communities. We maintain ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations, demonstrating commitment to quality, sustainability, and occupational health standards. Our team's 78.8% appeal success rate in business rates challenges reflects our specialist expertise in reducing commercial property costs.Through strategic land promotion and development advice, we unlock value for landowners across Wales' complex planning landscape. Our property management division handles portfolios ranging from single assets to multi-let complexes, supported by in-house accountancy professionals. With sector-specific teams covering utilities, energy, marine, and public sectors, we provide comprehensive commercial property solutions. Our Achilles and Cyber Essentials certifications attest to our procurement and cybersecurity standards compliance.
Services
Property Valuation
Business Rates Advice
Land Promotion
Property Management
Investment Agency
Lease Advisory
Development Land
Building Consultancy
Property Auctions
Details
- Year established: 1900
Highlights and features
- We have over 120 years' experience in Welsh commercial property markets
- Our ISO 9001-certified quality management system ensures consistent service standards
- 78.8% business rates appeal success rate exceeds industry averages
- Director-led teams provide personal service with specialist sector knowledge
- Achilles-registered contractors with Cyber Essentials certification for security compliance
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- ISO 45001
- Achilles
- Cyber Essentials
What people say
Excellent service
Professional team
Successful appeals
Local knowledge
Cost-effective solutions
Services
Property Valuation
Our RICS-qualified valuers provide accurate property assessments for financial reporting, taxation, and transaction purposes. With specialist knowledge across all Welsh commercial sectors, we deliver depreciated replacement cost valuations and development appraisals. Our team advises public bodies including National Museum Wales and Cardiff University, ensuring compliance with accounting standards while maximising asset value.
Business Rates Advice
Specialist consultants challenge rateable values through Check/Challenge/Appeal processes, achieving above-average reductions. With 78.8% success rate, we've secured 185m+ savings since 2005 for clients including Welsh Rugby Union and Greggs. Services include liability forecasting, empty property mitigation, and tribunal representation across all property types.
Land Promotion
We unlock development value through strategic land promotion, joint venture structuring, and planning advice. Our team handles greenfield/brownfield sites from small plots to 7,000-home schemes like Plas Dwr. With Welsh planning expertise, we act for Network Rail and private landowners to maximise site potential through sales or development partnerships.
Property Management
Comprehensive management of commercial and residential portfolios including rent collection, service charge administration, and contractor management. We handle multi-let complexes like Brunel House (225,000 sq ft) and residential blocks with 148 flats. Our team ensures statutory compliance while maximising asset returns through proactive maintenance and tenant relations.
Investment Agency
Advising on commercial property acquisitions and disposals across retail, office, and industrial sectors. With 50m+ transaction experience, we market assets to Welsh investors and national buyers. Recent sales include Menai Retail Park (7m) and DWP Regional HQ (50m), leveraging local market knowledge to achieve optimal investment returns.
People
Andrew Gardner
Managing Director
Chartered Surveyor with 30+ years' experience in Welsh property markets. Leads development land and valuation teams, advising major public bodies and private investors on asset strategy and land promotion.
Graham Davies
Director
Investment Agency specialist with 100m+ transaction experience. Advises pension funds and property companies on commercial asset acquisitions and disposals across Wales and the UK.
Andrew West
Director
Business rates expert with 25+ years' experience challenging rateable values. Achieved 3.4m savings for Millennium Stadium and 2.4m reductions for Principality Building Society through tribunal appeals.
Philip Angell
Director
Property Management lead overseeing 500,000 sq ft+ of commercial assets. Manages portfolios including Brunel House and St Davids House, ensuring compliance and maximising returns through proactive asset strategies.
Huw Thomas
Director
Retail and Leisure Agency specialist with 20+ years' experience. Secured major tenants for Newport's Friars Walk and advises Greggs and Starbucks on Welsh market expansion strategies.
Questions
What property sectors do you specialise in?
We cover retail, office, industrial, rural, residential, public sector, and utilities properties across Wales and the UK.
How can you help reduce business rates?
Our specialist team achieves average 78.8% appeal success rates, securing over £185m in client savings since 2005.
Do you handle property transactions outside Wales?
Yes, our London office extends services across the UK while maintaining Welsh market expertise.
What accreditations do you hold?
We maintain ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications alongside Achilles and Cyber Essentials standards.
Can you manage commercial property portfolios?
Our property management team handles portfolios from single assets to multi-let complexes nationwide.
