A growing lettings agency is also going to become an estate agent and start selling houses after opening a new office in Rhyl.
The news was announced when the Elwy Lettings premises in Bodfor Street were officially opened by Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones.
According to managing director Angela Jones, the estate agency service will be available from mid-January onwards and will create three new jobs.
One member of staff, Jamie Andrews, 23, has already been taken on and two more people will be taken on soon to work in the new office that’s undergone a £25,000 refurbishment.
The company operates across the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire and Conwy.
It already had an office in Denbigh and has plans to open another branch in Conwy within the next 18 months.
Angela, a former Army Lance Corporal, became an estate agent 14 years ago, joined Elwy Estates four years ago and bought the lettings side of the firm two years ago.
She said: “We already manage a lot of Rhyl properties from our Denbigh office. I felt it was important to move back into Rhyl to ensure we offer the best possible service to both landlords and tenants.
“I’m grateful to Denbighshire County Council and their Local Investment Fund (LIF) for supporting us. We have had a LIF grant to help toward the £25,000 cost of refurbishing the Bodfor Street office to the highest spec.
“I’m really excited to be here in Rhyl and I want to see Elwy Lettings further expanding and providing property services into more areas across North Wales. It’s definitely exciting times.
“We will be selling houses from mid-January and our competitive fees with no VAT and free valuations will be hard to beat.”
Ann Jones AM was delighted to see Elwy Lettings expanding into Rhyl and creating new jobs.
She said: “Elwy has a great reputation and I look forward to seeing further expansion in the future.
“Housing is an important topic for the Welsh Government especially in light of recent new legislation.
“We need responsible and professional landlord services and the record of Elwy Lettings gives me confidence that we will see a vibrant and buoyant rented sector across Denbighshire for people looking to rent properties.
“The expansion of Elwy Lettings is good news for jobs with three new roles being created.”
The firm is working with the Rhyl Football in the Community organisation to find the two additional members of the team.
Managing director Tracey Jones explained: “We work closely with Coleg Cambria seeking to help long-term unemployed young people get into work. I will be working closely with Angela to ensure she gets just the right people she needs to work here at Elwy Lettings.
“They will be two apprenticeship roles, initially on a 30 hour a week contract. Then, if everyone and in particular Angela, is happy the roles will become permanent.”
Denbighshire County Council’s Business Liaison Officer, Kirsty Davies, worked with Elwy Lettings to provide European grant funding under the LIF scheme.
She said: “This was money well spent and we feel we are investing in jobs. This project is all about business growth and in effect this European funding is going back to the community.”
Jamie Andrews is excited about starting a new career.
He said: ’I’m thrilled to have been taken on as a lettings agent. I have undergone training in all aspects of the business from viewings to dealing with internet enquires. I was working as a restaurant manager but felt I needed a career I could develop.
“It was clear to me Elwy Lettings is only going one way and that’s up. I really want to forge a new long-term career and I’m sure I have chosen the right career path and business for me.”
