Ryan Reynolds football club buyout has unexpected impact on whole of Wrexham

19 December 2023 , 19:30

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Owner Ryan Reynolds (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ryan Reynolds ’ takeover of Wrexham AFC has helped the North Wales city top the UK’s home rentals league.

Rightmove said there had been an average of 56 enquiries per property this year, compared to just eight three years ago. The next busiest location was Redbridge, East London, with 49 enquiries per home. Hollywood star Reynolds bought the club in 2020 with pal Rob McElhenney, which Leigh Hayward, of Wingetts estate agents, said generated “a feel-good factor”.

He added: “Wrexham has benefited from it, the housing market has benefited from it.” Reynolds, 47, and fellow actor McElhenney, 46, regularly attend the club’s Racecourse Ground, sparking a surge in tourism. Being granted city status in 2022 also made Wrexham more desirable.

And interest has leapt from foreign students and workers taking jobs at local employers, including JCB and Kellogg’s. Vaughan Schofield, of estate agents Belvoir, said it was now normal to have 100 enquiries for a desirable three-bed house. But Karen Evans, of Monopoly Buy Sell Rent, said rental prices were up as a result.

Paul Byrne