A mixed reaction to revamp plan for Capitol

PLANS to redevelop a major Cardiff shopping centre have sparked a mixed reaction from readers – with some saying it’s “the right way to go” and others branding it “horrible”.

On Thursday, we revealed proposals to transform the Capitol Shopping Centre on Queen Street.

The centre, which was seen as a flagship shopping destination when it first opened and was previously home to the likes of Virgin Megastore, H&M and Benetton, was home to 15 empty units by January this year.

But the plans for a radical makeover unveiled by developers would see it become a mixed-use retail and leisure destination complete with new restaurants and a high rise block of 100 apartments. NewRiver, the centre’s owner, said it was currently in a “pre-application consultation” with Cardiff council.

Some readers welcomed the new vision for the centre.

Simon T Adams wrote: “This scheme will be mixed use with an emphasis on leisure, this is the right way to go as Cardiff now has an over-provision of retail units (even St David’s has plenty available).”

And a WalesOnline user who signed themselves off simply as “APerson” said: “I like the potential design. However, I think it would be so much better to integrate it with [Queen Street Railway] station (via a covered walkway),

“Potentially cover the pavement at that end of Queen Street too.

“Covering the large expanse between it and KFC would give a viable option to develop the actual Queen Street paving area, for use whatever the weather.”

Several people said they missed the shortcut through the centre to Queen Street Railway Station that used to go through H&M. Another common theme was concern about independent traders in the city.

James Valentine said: “Integrate it with the station and bus link, like Birmingham, then you get the forced footfall of travellers as well.

“I am a little worried this is trying to compete with St Davids, what this town solely needs is support for independent and small businesses.

“I don’t mean Dave who can fix your phone screen or Sam selling £5 emoji pillows, but local artists, hand crafters, and the like.

“We can’t even afford to go in the wooden huts the council provide, so space for those on the bottom rung would have been nice.”

And Mel Cameron, writing on WalesOnline’s Facebook page, said: “I think it’s great that Cardiff is developing, but it’s a shame that fabulous places like Rossiters increases.

“The arcades are fabulous and we don’t need another Starbucks or Nandos.”

Lisa Davies was a bit stronger in her opinion: “Looks horrible. They are slowly destroying everything that made shopping in Cardiff fun.

“There are now far too many shops. We don’t need any more of the same horrible chain stores that you find in every British city.” are closing due to rent