Croeso Pubs has submitted plans to Cardiff Council to transform the long-vacant 47-48 St Mary Street building into a new pub. The property, which has been empty since 2016, is grade-II listed and dates to the turn of the 19th century.
Proposed venue details
According to planning documents, the venue is expected to attract over 65,000 visitors each year. Thirty jobs are anticipated across management, supervisory, and kitchen roles. The business would contribute £30,000 annually to the city through business rates.
Proposed opening hours are from 9am to 2am, Monday to Sunday. The application states that the premises have been actively marketed without viable interest from retail operators, with demand instead coming from the hospitality sector.
Heritage and context
Cadw dates the building to the turn of the 19th century, noting its "well preserved commercial frontage." In July 2024, plans for 10 apartments on the upper floors were approved but never materialised.
The vacant use is described as causing a "negative contribution" to the St Mary Street conservation area and wider street scene. The applicant wrote that St Mary Street has undergone a "notable shift in character" in recent years, with a growing emphasis on food and drink, making it a "destination for dining and socialising."
Positive impact
Planning documents read: "The application proposal represents an important and sustainable opportunity to bring this prominent property back into beneficial use." The development would retain an active commercial frontage, support vitality and footfall, and provide a viable long-term use in a prominent city centre location.
The company said the proposal "complements and enhances the surrounding mix of retail and hospitality establishments and ensures a positive impact on the heritage context and future vitality of the area." At this stage, no internal or external alterations are proposed.
