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In the Welsh capital, a combination of the Cardiff Bay makeover, including the Wales Millennium Centre, the National Assembly and the Millennium Stadium has fuelled an explosion of hotels, bars and restaurants. One of the larger leisure schemes is the Taylor Woodrow-built, Burgess-designed 拢18m cinema and health club for developer Brunswick next to the Millennium Stadium.

Newport, Cardiff鈥檚 poor relation, is set for a boost, with Morrison Developments obtaining planning permission for the 拢50m Spires shopping centre in the town centre. Meanwhile, Swansea is still waiting for a backer for its town-centre redevelopment after MEPC pulled out of the 拢160m Castle Quays site in January.

But there is a shortage of good-quality and experienced QSs and architects. According to Carolyn Merrifield, a partner with architect Burgess, IT technicians command 拢30 000 a year, and newly qualified architects are looking for a starting salary of 拢17 000, similar to London rates. And many QSs tend to hot-foot it to London, says Symonds business development director Howard Gadd.

The Welsh assembly may have got off to a rocky start, but once the European funding is finalised, it will help attract projects to the Valleys. Despite a lack of good employees and the feeling that parts of Wales are neglected, Cardiff鈥檚 air of confidence is set to permeate the rest of the country. 鈥淐ardiff is dynamic and going places. The National Assembly is empowering people, and opportunities won鈥檛 be denied,鈥� says Symonds鈥� Gadd.