The Cardiff Capital Region commercial premises fund has reached £47m deployed, paving the way for a new investment wave. The fund was announced at last week’s UKREiiF (UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum).
Cardiff Capital Region’s (CCR) Strategic Sites and Premises Fund said it has had a record year and entered a pivotal new phase, with capital set to be recycled into a new pipeline of major developments.
Managed by CBRE’s Investment Advisory team, the circa £50m fund, is established to accelerate commercial property development and unlock employment space across South East Wales.
Now the fund is approaching full deployment, having committed £58.7m and deployed more than £47m across a diverse portfolio of projects.
The fund, in 2025/26 alone, achieved its strongest performance yet, supporting 1,694 jobs and unlocking more than 2.3m sq ft of development space, while bringing seven acres of vacant or derelict land back into active use.
Marking the most intense year of activity since launching in 2022, the fund deployed £26.6m into key schemes across the region.
Mike Brough, director, Regional Growth at CCR, said: “It has been a record year for the fund, helping to unlock vital new workspace that aligns with CCR’s mission of driving economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development across South East Wales. Attending UKREiiF is a key opportunity for us to meet further partners for co-investment, helping to grow the impact of the fund even further.
“Looking into 2026/27, we are in a position where loans will be reaching maturity, returning capital to be re-deployed into new projects. We have a strong pipeline of future projects that we will look to progress through approvals, to continue the momentum from the last year. This is an exciting time for us and our partners.”
CCR’s chair and leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, added: “This is a very exciting time for the region with significant momentum building across a number of major projects. One of the most notable is the rapid progress at the Uskmouth Sustainable Energy Park in Newport. Supported by a new £8.5m loan, the project is delivering one of the UK’s largest battery energy storage systems, with development moving at pace and funding being drawn down ahead of schedule.
“In Bridgend, the fund is also supporting the refurbishment of industrial space at Central Park. This latest approval will upgrade units to EPC A standards, helping to futureproof employment space and strengthen sustainability credentials for existing businesses.
“Meanwhile, our investment at Seren Studios in Cardiff is helping to position the region as a major hub for the creative industries. A £12m loan is supporting the site’s expansion, including three additional sound stages and associated infrastructure.”
