About Us
Getting To Know Us...
Husband and wife team Peter and Susan Richards established Crickhowell Properties in 1992 and run the company today with the help of their sons Simon and Robert.
Over the years, they have invested in and sympathetically restored a variety of listed buildings in Chester and North Wales to create interesting and unusual work spaces and shop fronts for their tenants to grow their own businesses.
Most of their tenants have been with them for years and all speak highly of their helpful and collaborative approach and how easy they are to deal with.
Managing Director
Peter Richards
“I grew up in the picturesque town of Crickhowell in the beautiful Usk Valley. The area means a lot to me and was the inspiration for the name of our company.
“When Susan and I started the business thirty years ago, we set out to purchase interesting, listed buildings in very run-down conditions which we could restore, renovate and rent out.
“We have retained all the features of these lovely buildings – from period coving and sash windows to gallery landings and even original open well staircases – because they are integral to their wonderful character and ambience.
“Our buildings are striking and unusual places to work and they all have been fully restored and refurbished to a high standard.
“We pride ourselves on our personal approach, our availability and the fact that we always put our tenants’ requirements first. We have people who have just started up in business and are looking to grow with us and some who have been with us for over 26 years.”
Director
Simon Richards
As well as being a director of Crickhowell Properties, Simon is the founder and director of leading landscape architecture and environmental design practice Land Studio. The company is based in The Old Rectory on St Mary’s Hill, one of Crickhowell Properties’ oldest and most prestigious buildings. Simon said:
“The Land Studio team is growing so we recently moved from Soughton House, a beautiful Grade II listed building in Nicholas Street Mews, to our new home in The Old Rectory.
I love the building. Although it’s in the heart of the city it is a peaceful, tranquil place to work. I love the high ceilings, the light that streams in through the original windows and the views down to the River Dee. It is very accessible and the team often cycle to work.
Visitors are always fascinated about the history of the building. It’s a great place to work.”
Director
Robert Richards
A fellow director of Crickhowell Properties, Robert and his partner Faye are also the founders of Sweet Elements, which launched in Chester in 2019.
Well known for their high-end, hand-made contemporary cakes and desserts, Sweet Elements started life in 72 Northgate Street just opposite the Storyhouse. The Grade II listed building, a Crickhowell Property, forms part of the Chester Conservation Area.
Robert, who was born in Chester and brought up in Cilcain in North Wales, began his career as a commercial litigation lawyer.
He said: “With the opening of Storyhouse and the new Chester Market, Northgate Street has become a very special place. It is more than a food quarter – there are so many vibrant independent businesses based there.
“Faye and I launched Sweet Elements from 72 Northgate Street and it was a brilliant place to begin the business and with a beautiful shop front which customers loved.”
- Sweet Elements is a dessert consultancy business which offers training and support to home enthusiasts and professionals across the UK.
Director
Susan Richards
“I grew up in the North West and after completing an advanced secretarial course, I travelled extensively in Canada, America and South Africa, where I lived for 18 months.
“Peter and I set up the business because we were interested in restoring some of the beautiful buildings in Chester and North Wales and then letting them out to tenants.
“Over the years it has been very interesting watching a wide variety of businesses grow and develop.
“I look after all of the administration side of Crickhowell Properties and liaise regularly with tenants.”
