Whole new chapter on the way for Roald Dahl sweet shop
A FORMER sweet shop provided Roald Dahl with inspiration for some of his most famous plots, and now work is under way to transform it.
Mrs Pratchett’s sweet shop on Llandaff’s High Street was the scene of a childhood prank which is believed to have inspired the Cardiff-born author’s writings years later.
While Dahl was a student at The Cathedral School in Llandaff, he played a trick on the reputedly terrifying owner of the sweet shop on Llandaff’s High Street.
That episode – in which he put a dead mouse in a gobstopper jar – is thought to have inspired some of his tales such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits and Matilda.
The sweet shop has most recently been a Chinese takeaway called The Great Wall.
Now work is ongoing to turn it into a holiday rental – for visitors to experience first-hand one of Dahl’s Cardiff haunts.
According to the application which was approved by Cardiff council, the property would be opened to the public when it isn’t in use.
The plans say “possibly a library or reading space” could be set up dedicated to the iconic author, with the hope schools and nurseries would be able to take advantage of the site.
The front of the 19th century building will remain largely unchanged. But an extra bedroom and bathroom will be installed.
On the first floor, there is sleeping room for six people.
The downstairs will be restored to include a dining room, kitchen, reading room and bathroom.
Extra rooms will be added at the rear of the building, and a maisonette will create space for an extra double bed.
The applicant, Mrs Lau, says the restoration will “benefit the whole area”.
She says she wants to create something which is not a restaurant or pub.
“The area currently is saturated with coffee shops, restaurants and pubs. The client has noticed many of the nearby restaurants opening and closing in very short timespans, as well as a steep decline in her takeaway business.
“The client feels that restoring the property and renting it to people who wish to visit the area will help to increase business for the area and locals.
“The client understands that the property is of high historical value and is tied to Roald Dahl”.
In 2009 a blue plaque was installed at the property, with Dahl’s widow Liccy and son Theo present.
Guests can also hire the gatehouse lodge where the children’s author used to live.
Ty Mynydd is listed on accommodation site airbnb.com as the original gatehouse lodge to the main house on the estate, which was in Radyr.