Go-ahead given for new hospitality quarter in Cardiff

A hospitality-focused open-air courtyard in Cardiff's historic Castle Quarter has been given the green light.

Cardiff Council has granted permission for work to start in August on demolishing a former nightclub behind High Street and Duke Street Arcades and replace it with a hidden central courtyard surround by eight spaces designed for independent hospitality businesses. An entrance to the courtyard will be created through an existing passageway off High Street Arcade.

A new balcony will run around the courtyard at first floor level, opening up previously unused spaces above shops and uncovering more of the Grade II-listed arcade's original features.

Phillip Morris, partner at EJ Hales which specialises in shopping centre leasing, said: "We are delighted that Cardiff Council has embraced the opportunity to create these new spaces which will be designed from the ground up to suit the needs of independent food and drink operators.

"We've seen how successful bar and restaurant developments have been in bringing new life to High Street and the wider Castle Quarter. City centres are changing and as more people work from home and shop online, we need to give them more and better reasons to visit - showcasing the unique experiences that independent hospitality and retail businesses can offer. Regeneration schemes like this are a perfect example of what the future of our city centres should look like".

Morris added that interest in the new sites from "some of the best-known independent operators in the country" was strong.