New business welcomed to Glyndyfrdwy

* Ken Skates AM, left, with the directors of R3 Safety and Rescue, from left, Chris Onions, Paul O’Sullivan and Chris Heath.

Assembly Member Ken Skates cut the ribbon at the official opening of a rescue training company’s new home in an old village school.

R3 Safety and Rescue was started in 2013 by three former employees of Bala-based Rescue 3 Europe and moved into the empty Glyndyfrdwy school building earlier this year.

Paul O'Sullivan, who launched the business with Chris Onions and Chris Heath, said: “We are primarily a specialist rescue training company delivering water/flood, rope and confined space safety and rescue training.  In 2015 we started doing equipment sales and this has seen significant growth over the last two years.

“The move to the new premises in Glyndyfrdwy has been excellent for us and it provides an ideal base to grow both the training and equipment supply sides of the business. We currently spend around £35,000 a year on local hotels – primarily in Llangollen – for our course students and will continue to do so to support the local economy.”

R3 Safety and Rescue bought the old school in February and after what Paul describes as ‘a pretty hectic refurbishment’ and ran its first training course from the premises in May. An open day was held on Saturday (September 23), when members of the local community and clients where invited to see the company’s new home. More than 100 people turned out.

Mr Skates said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to officially open R3 Safety and Rescue’s new premises. This is such a beautiful, important building and I have been keen for a long time to see it used for local benefit.

“I’m delighted that R3 Safety and Rescue has moved into it and continues to contribute massively to the local economy. The firm currently employs three full-time and four part-time members of staff, two of which have been taken on since the move to Glyndyfrdwy.

“With Rescue 3 Europe, who accredit R3 Safety and Rescue’s training courses, already based in Llangollen – in the same building as my office – the area is becoming increasing associated with the rescue industry. It’s very positive for the area.”