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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Thomas Deacon

The sad state of Cardiff's much-loved music venue Gwdihw almost two years after it closed

This is the sad state of Cardiff's much-loved music venue Gwdhiw almost two years after it closed.

In January 2019 more than 1,000 people marched on Guildford Crescent after plans to demolish the site and other businesses were submitted by the Rapport family.

The plans sparked outrage, and a petition was also signed by 20,000 people to try and save the businesses on the street including restaurants Madeira and Thai House and Gwdihw music venue.

Only the scaffolding has been put up (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

The popular bar finally shut its doors in February 2019.

But after negotiations between Cardiff council, and Guildford Crescent owners Marcol Estate, it was decided only the curved frontages of the original late 19th century structures would be kept as part of a redevelopment of the area into a new canal quarter.

Now all that remains is the facade of the former buildings, but no work has yet to take place on what will eventually replace them.

Guildford Crescent in Cardiff in 2018 (Richard Williams/WalesOnline)
How it looks in January 2021 (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

Broadcaster and campaigner against the plans Daniel Minty, of Minty's Gig Guide, shared a recent tweet of the empty plot.

On Thursday he said: "I still just feel like the previous buildings should have remained. I mean what's done is done, but I think everybody still feels strongly about it.

"Since that tweet I've had a lot of other people get in touch and say they haven't forgotten about it.

"That's my question really, was it really worth it? Did it have to happen? All I know is that the community both here in Cardiff and further afield still feel the pain so strongly about what's happened and they haven't forgotten and will never forget the times they had there."

The site hasn't changed but the city around it has (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

According to Cardiff council planning documents, an "environmental impact assessment screening" was registered for 1 - 6 Guildford Crescent in December.

The assessments help ensure that an authority giving development consent for a project makes its decision knowing the likely effects on the environment.

The title of the application only refers to a "residential-led, mixed used development" but no other documents were submitted in the application.

When Gwdihw shut it's doors for the last time in February 2019 a single red rose was laid at the door of the much-loved venue.

The venue was stripped bare, but not before a massive farewell party took place.

This was the scene as Gwdihw closed its doors for the final time:

This was the scene as Gwdihw shut its doors on Guildford Crescent for the last time last night with a massive party

It comes as recent plans for a canal quarter nearby on Churchill Way were revealed.

If the new plans go ahead, the canal underneath Churchill Way will reopen, four main roads will see new layouts and a public square with an events space will be built. Work could begin as soon as next summer.

The plans to revamp how people get around the east of the city centre are part of Cardiff council’s wider goals of reducing air pollution, cutting carbon emissions and preventing floods.

What the canal on Churchill Way could look like (Cardiff council)

Details were revealed as part of a new public consultation on the plans, which would cost £13 million to build.

Residents and businesses can respond to the consultation here.

The old dock feeder canal underneath the top half of Churchill Way would reopen, running from Queen Street to North Edward Street.

The area would form a new green public open space, with trees, shrubs and benches, a performance stage and covered outdoor dining area. The taxi rank currently there would move further down Churchill Way, near the Motorpoint arena. You can read more about the plans here.

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