Seven-Figure Funding Deal for Welsh Wedding Venue Operator

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Development Bank of Wales , 22nd August 2022

An award-winning collection of wedding venues is opening its third venue in Wales thanks to a joint seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK and the Development Bank of Wales.

The Oldwalls Collection, which opened 14 years ago, has used the funding to add Sant Ffraed House in Abergavenny to its existing award winning portfolio which comprises of wedding venues, Fairyhill and Oldwalls Gower and several luxury holiday cottages.

Set in 16 acres of picturesque Abergavenny countryside, Sant Ffraed House boasts a 150-person ceremony and reception room, substantial on-site accommodation, two bars, and an evening entertainment space. The opening will create 50+ new jobs for the local community and is expected to welcome 15,000 guests through 2023.

Andrew Hole, Managing Director of The Oldwalls Collection, said:

“The wedding events industry has been severely disrupted since the pandemic, with couples rescheduling dates multiple times. As the industry begins to bounce back, we sought an expansive solution to provide more choice.

“HSBC UK and the Development Bank of Wales have been a great help throughout the process of acquiring and opening Sant Ffraed House, and we look forward to continuing a relationship with both banks as we further expand the business.”

Anthony Couzens, Relationship Director for HSBC UK Corporate Banking South Wales added:

“It’s been a pleasure to support Andrew and the team at Oldwalls with their continued expansion alongside the Development Bank of Wales. Oldwalls have delivered a spectacular new addition to the Welsh hospitality offering and raised the bar with the redevelopment of Sant Ffraed House. We wish them every success.”

Daniel Kinsey, Portfolio Executive at the Development Bank of Wales said:

“As an existing customer, we have an excellent working relationship with the team at Oldwalls. They have a stellar reputation across Wales, and we’re delighted to have supported with the businesses’ recent acquisition of Sant Ffraed House to expand its portfolio in partnership with HSBC UK.”

Mae casgliad arobryn o leoliadau priodas yn agor ei drydydd lleoliad yng Nghymru diolch i becyn ariannu saith ffigur ar y cyd gan HSBC UK a Banc Datblygu Cymru.

Mae’r Oldwalls Collection, a agorodd 14 mlynedd yn ôl, wedi defnyddio’r cyllid i ychwanegu Tŷ Sant Ffraed yn y Fenni at ei bortffolio arobryn presennol sy’n cynnwys lleoliadau priodas, Fairyhill ac Oldwalls Gŵyr a nifer o fythynnod gwyliau moethus.

Wedi'i leoli mewn 16 erw o gefn gwlad brydferth y Fenni, mae gan Dŷ Sant Ffraed ystafelloedd seremoni ac ystafell dderbyn ar gyfer 150 o bobl, llety sylweddol ar y safle, dau far, a gofod adloniant gyda'r nos. Bydd yr agoriad yn creu 50+ o swyddi newydd ar gyfer y gymuned leol a disgwylir iddo groesawu 15,000 o westeion erbyn 2023.

Dywedodd Andrew Hole, Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Oldwalls Collection:

“Mae’r diwydiant digwyddiadau priodas wedi cael ei darfu arno’n ddifrifol ers y pandemig, gyda chyplau yn aildrefnu dyddiadau sawl gwaith. Wrth i'r diwydiant ddechrau bownsio'n ôl, fe wnaethom geisio ateb eang i ddarparu mwy o ddewis.

“Mae HSBC UK a Banc Datblygu Cymru wedi bod o gymorth mawr drwy gydol y broses o gaffael ac agor Tŷ Sant Ffraed, ac edrychwn ymlaen at barhau â’r berthynas gyda’r ddau fanc wrth i ni ehangu’r busnes ymhellach.”

Ychwanegodd Anthony Couzens, Cyfarwyddwr Perthynas ar gyfer HSBC UK Corporate Banking South Wales:

“Mae wedi bod yn bleser cefnogi Andrew a’r tîm yn Oldwalls gyda’u hehangiad parhaus ochr yn ochr â Banc Datblygu Cymru. Mae Oldwalls wedi darparu ychwanegiad newydd ysblennydd i’r arlwy lletygarwch Cymreig ac wedi codi’r bar gydag ailddatblygiad Tŷ Sant Ffraed. Dymunwn bob llwyddiant iddynt.”

Dywedodd Daniel Kinsey, Swyddog Portffolio gyda Banc Datblygu Cymru:

“Fel cwsmer presennol, mae gennym ni berthynas waith ardderchog gyda’r tîm yn Oldwalls. Mae ganddyn nhw enw da ledled Cymru, ac rydyn ni’n falch iawn o fod wedi cefnogi pryniant diweddar y busnesau o Dŷ Sant Ffraed i ehangu ei bortffolio mewn partneriaeth â HSBC UK.”