A Grade-II listed retail unit in Cardiff city centre that has been vacant since January 2026 is set to reopen as a bagel shop after planners approved the change of use.
The property at 3 Wharton Street, previously home to Coco Blush Boutique, will be operated by The Bagel Project. The new shop is expected to create five full-time jobs and will open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday.
Shift in city centre character
Planning documents note that since the Covid-19 pandemic, this part of St Mary Street has seen a notable shift towards food and drink uses. The area has increasingly become a destination for dining and socialising, reflecting broader changes in consumer behaviour and footfall patterns.
Meanwhile, other parts of the city centre, such as St David's Shopping Centre and The Hayes, have emerged as the primary focus for retail-led development, according to the documents.
Heritage and regeneration benefits
The applicant said the bagel shop will enhance the vitality, viability, and attractiveness of the city centre by encouraging footfall and supporting the wider regeneration of the area.
Planning documents state that while the proposal would result in the loss of a retail unit, this must be considered in the context of a broader transformation in how city centres are used. The proposed use would complement surrounding businesses and contribute positively to the area's mix of uses, supporting a balanced and adaptive city centre environment.
The Bagel Project also said that securing the long-term viable use of the space supports the active use and upkeep of the heritage shop front and contributes positively to the vibrancy and distinctiveness of the surrounding historic area of Wharton Street.
