Waterfront Partners

A Space in the City are proud to have recently joined the Waterfront Partners.

Waterfront Partners-In the beginning…

The Waterfront Partners’ Group, originally called the Inner Harbour Partners Group (IHPG), was set up in 1994 by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation. It enabled all the leisure operators in the locality of the development to have access to information in one main forum, and smaller businesses to have a stronger voice through the group. The success of the Waterfront Partners has continued to grow and over the years it has become a well respected and established partnership.

Who are we now?

The Waterfront Partners are a non profit making organisation and in 2010 there were 34 members all representing a unique cross section of the community including local government, charity run outlets, developers and privately run businesses.

All members pay a yearly fee to be part of the group and the monies made are invested into events and marketing activities for Cardiff Bay.

The meetings are held once a month in a different Waterfront Partner venue and structured in a way that allows each partner to talk to the group, update on projects, and creates a forum to make links and share ideas.

Find out more here

Interviews with the team.

 

First up we have Matthew Hayward our Operations Manager

1. How long have you worked for A Space in the City?
3 years

2. What background do you have in the industry?
I joined the company having spent 9 years at various management levels at the Halifax

3. What is your favourite thing about working for A Space in the City?
The variety day to day and knowing that we can make a customer’s day that little bit better by bringing a smile to their face by delivering excellent customer service and providing a quality product.

4. So during the time you have worked for A Space in the City, what’s been your favourite moment?
Seeing the managing director stuck up a tree at Go Ape Margampark in Swansea!

5. Do you have a favourite apartment and why?
210 Lyon in Cardiff, a really lovely 1 bedroom apartment with a larger balcony and views across the bay. In Swansea I would have to say Meridian Tower, another 1 bed apartment but with views of the marina from the living room which itself has stunning floor to ceiling one way windows.

6. What do you prefer beans on toast or cheese on toast and why?
Beans on toast !healthier option with more energy J

7. How do you spend your time outside of work.... Keep it clean!!
With my family, as I work so hard during the week I try to make as most of my free time about my two little boys and my wife. If I’m really lucky then a trip to watch a football game or a drink or two in my local country pub.

8. Very important question, What’s your ideal sandwich?
Ooooooh……. Bread, butter, ham, salt and vinegar crisps

9. Who would you rather be, Spiderman, Superman or Batman? And why?
Well, Batman is just a (cool) hard as nails vigilante with no real superpowers apart from to talk in a really low gravely voice if you’ve watched the recent films! Spiderman and Superman both have real superpowers, however as I don’t like Spiders it would be Superman because 1) he can fly in outer space !so I’d go and visit other planets and see if aliens really exist (other than superman of course.) plus he can see through walls, freeze stuff with his breath, shoot red hot lasers from his eyes and is pretty much indestructible. So it would have to be Superman as you can do anything you wanted, good or bad.

Thanks Matt! Check out our About Us page for more info on the team!

Paul Evans – Guest Services Manager - Swansea

Paul Evans has recently started as a Guest Services manager, looking after our Swansea portfolio and greeting our guests into Wales’ second largest city.

Paul has recently discovered some hidden talents in the form of cooking and rambling. Paul sources locally produced ingredients from wild herbs found during rambling or from farmers markets or specialist shops. Paul and his partner have been renovating their old rambling house for some time however the views over the Brecon Beacons more than make up for the time taken to do this.

Paul has vast experience in the travel sector having previous job with travel agents, hotel, airline and sales management roles. On his extensive career Paul says he has “travelled extensively throughout the world, especially Asia and the Americas both through my work and taking holidays. But I was forced to make a choice either moving permanently to London and continuing a travel career or trying something different. And then the opportunity to work with A Space In The City came along and helped me make up my mind. I have decided to put my suitcase away for a while and enjoy my home town of Swansea”

When asked how Paul has found his start with us he replied that it has been “a real learning curve. I have never been on the hosting side of the hospitality market before, always the sales side so it has been challenging but great fun. Realising that you personally have to ensure delivery of guest expectations 24 hours a day is the hardest part – but having some great feedback since I started is keeping me smiling. Also knowing that I have a fantastic support team in our Cardiff HQ gives you that extra boost of confidence”
Paul has already made a great impact and we look forward to what the future will bring.

Find out about the rest of the team..

A Space in the City wins the ‘High Commendation” award at the Swansea Bay Tourism Awards 2012

The Swansea Bay Tourism Awards celebrate the achievements of some of the finest tourism, leisure and hospitality business in the Swansea Bay area.

A Space in the City Swansea was nominated in the category of “Best Self-Catering Accommodation” in the biennial Swansea Bay Tourism Awards. We were up against 6 other self-catering accommodation providers and were one of 2 companies who received the Highly Commended Award for our dedication to providing high quality self-catering accommodation for our customers.

The evening, hosted by Badger from The Wave radio station, was a huge success with all involved enjoying a 3 course meal and dancing until midnight.

With this being the first time we have entered these awards we are extremely pleased with our award, however we hope to come away with first prize in 2014!!

Welcome to our new Finance Manager- Matthew Hutcheon

Matthew Hutcheon – Finance Manager

We are delighted to announce a new addition to the A Space in the City team Firstly Matthew Hutcheon, Matthew has been with us since April where he has taken on the role of Finance Manager. Matt grew up in Ystrad Mynach and studied accountancy at Cardiff University; he is currently in the process of completing his ACCA exams which will lead the way to Matt becoming a fully qualified accountant.

Matt has a huge passion for sport with his main game being Welsh favourite Rugby, he plays scrum half for Bargoed RFC who currently compete in the Welsh Championship – we couldn’t resist adding the below picture of Matt completing our cyclethon for Sports Relief earlier this year!

Speaking of his first few months, Matt admits he has “been very busy” yet has found the role to be “challenging yet enjoyable”. Matt brings a great deal of experience to the team, Matt joined us from Peacocks Head Office in Cardiff where he took on various accounting roles including Assistant Management Accountant and Assistant Financial Accountant. Matt has settled well into the close knit office team and we all wish him the best of luck in his new role.

A Space in the City plan major Swansea focus

We are planning a major focus on Swansea in the coming months; we plan to increase the size and quality of our portfolio – read more about it here.


The Cardiff based company is the largest serviced apartment provider in Wales and offers a portfolio of luxury apartments in both Cardiff and Swansea.
The company will upgrade its 2-bedroom apartments in Excelsior on Princess Way and purchase new property options in the SA1 development.
This comes as Paul Evans joins the company as a business development manager to spearhead the project.
Paul has an extensive background in the tourism and hospitality industry, including a position managing the Asia and South America hotel product for one of Britains’ largest travel companies.
Paul is looking forward to increasing the profile of A Space In The City within the Swansea Bay region by developing relationships within the Swansea Bay business community and actively participating in local groups and events.
Paul said: "The potential for alternative accommodation providers in Swansea is huge. With the combination of the new university campus development on Fabian Way, successful tourism marketing campaigns and people looking for something different, the option of a short stay serviced apartment is increasingly attractive. A luxury serviced apartment can not only offer more space and comfort than most hotel rooms, but also reinforces the concept of Swansea as a modern and dynamic city with premium and flexible accommodation options for all visitors needs."
If you would like to contact Paul he is available on 07816 315461 or email p.evans@aspaceinthecity.co.uk

A Space in the City, Bowling Challenge!

The A Space in the City team recently enjoyed a staff outing to the local bowling alley to stretch our legs, show off some bowling skills (we didn't all have the barriers up, honest) and strut around in our snazzy bowling foot wear.

Social secretary Stacey Laye organised the event which saw girls vs boys go head to head for the highest (and lowest!) bowling score crown.

The going was tough and there were more than a few worried looks when the boys couldn't stop their bowling attempts rolling into the gutter (us sensible girls obviously opted for the safer barrier option.)

We had several different prizes once the bowling was all completed, Highest Score went to Operations Manager Matthew Hayward with 126 and lowest Score went to Peter Bardoly from Housekeeping with 74. They both received specially engraved trophies as awards. We also had an award for the best celebration which went to Lettings Manager Kathryn Hancock and best pose which went to Head of Reservations Beccy Newton. Finally we awarded best Bowling attire to Reservations' Stacey Laye. Each winner got to choose between a number of different awards including wine and sweets.

After some tense bowling action, we all headed over to the arcade games. Managing Director Richard Godfrey took on Head of Reservations Beccy Newton for a bit of competitive Air Hockey fun. Whilst Operations Manager Matthew Hayward and Reservations' Angharad Price went head to head on the 'Bunny hopping' machine. Angharad being the clear winner with her one legged bunny hopping technique!

Eventually everybody finished laughing at Matthew and Angharad, and we all made our way over to Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Cardiff Bay's Mermaid Quay for some well deserved apres bowling munchies. The burgers were all fantastic and we even discovered some of the worlds thinnest chips!

After an enjoyable evening of laughs, alco-pops, bunny hopping and thin chips, all staff cant wait for the next A Space in the City outing!