Parts of Cardiff's historic Coal Exchange are being demolished because of structural problems caused by a water pressure build up. The hotel that operates from the 19th Century building has been closed since late February after a burst pipe caused worse damage than initially suspected, and parts of the exterior are now being torn down while the building is repaired.
Works by contractors on the privately-owned building started early last week. Cardiff council, acting on its building control responsibilities said that it notified the owners of the need to do work to make the Grade 2 listed building safe after the it had become structurally unsound. The council also initially put a road closure in place due to the risk of falling masonry.
Repairs have since begun to the north side of the building, including partial demolition. This side houses the main gas supply which has been cut off during repairs. A spokesperson for the hotel confirmed Cadw is "being informed" of the work to preserve the building's listed status.
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Built in 1888, the Coal Exchange is one of the city's most iconic buildings. As the heart of the city's thriving coal-exporting trade in the early 20th Century, it was said to have been the place where the world's first million-pound cheque was signed in 1909. It closed in the 1950s and later became a music venue after the coal trade dwindled. But the building was neglected and was in need of significant restoration when Cardiff Council carried out emergency works to the building to make it safe in 2013. It was later controversially handed over to a Liverpool-based hotel developer Signature Living with the expectation that the firm would carry out the renovation work. Signature Living went into administration during the Covid pandemic.
When a video was posted on social media last week, one person commented that the state of the building reflected "stomach churning neglect" with another adding: "I live directly opposite the Coal Exchange, and we’ve said since day one it’s incredibly sad how the building has been ignored and neglected, to the point it is at now. A stunning building packed with history."
It is understood that the section being removed will be rebuilt, but it is not yet clear whether it will look exactly the same as it did before. As it stands, the building will stay closed until March 31. The hotel, originally a trading hub for coal, has had a turbulent few years and at one stage was declared "unsaleable."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the hotel said: "After further investigation by a local safety expert and structural engineer, the north side of the building has sustained structural damaged caused by the pressure build up from the water pipe. The north side of the building houses the main gas supply to the venue.
"The gas supply to the building has been stopped to allow the work to be carried out in a safe manner. At present, parts of the north aspect of the building are being removed to ensure the building safety. Cadw are being informed of the work to help preserve the buildings listed status.
"At the moment the hotel and Culley’s Kitchen & Bar will be closed until March 31, if this changes will keep everyone updated. Once the work is completed, these venues will be reopened. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to welcome you back very soon."
A Cardiff Council spokesperson confirmed: "The owner is having work done to the building which required an application to Cardiff Council, in its role as the Highway Authority, to bring cranes on to the site at Mount Stuart Square.
"The owner had approval to close the roads temporarily while the cranes were on site, and that was overseen by their contracted traffic management company, in order to ensure safe access for residents. A stipulation of the road closure application being approved was for the contractor to undertake regular local resident and business communication and liaison in the area"
A Cadw spokesperson said: "In response to serious structural issues in an area to the rear of the building, and at the request of Cardiff Council, controlled partial demolition has taken place to make the structure safe. The council is responsible for administering the regulatory controls for listed buildings." Cardiff Council confirmed it had requested the structural work and informed Cadw, as well as closing the road when work began on the site.
Guests who booked directly with the hotel will be contacted by the Coal Exchange team to rearrange or refund their booking. Guests who booked via a third party company will be contacted by their booking provider.
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