Hint of new Doctor Who attraction

THERE could soon be good news for Doctor Who fans mourning the loss of a Cardiff Bay attraction.

The Doctor Who Exhibition closed its doors earlier this month despite more than 12,000 people signing a petition to keep it open.

But a senior councillor has now revealed that a new Doctor Who attraction could come to the city.

Cabinet member Russell Goodway has also said that discussions are ongoing about the future of the building in Cardiff Bay to find a future use.

Coun Goodway said that if a new lease is secured a “number of potential leisure-based uses” would be considered by the council.

In response to a written question by Lib Dem councillor Emma Sandrey, Coun Goodway said “discussions had been ongoing with BBC Worldwide to secure a replacement Doctor Who related attraction in the city”.

He said he had already agreed for Lib Dem councillor Rodney Berman and leader of the opposition Conservative Adrian Robson to be involved in those discussions.

“I can confirm that my officials have now indicated that they are in a position to share proposals and a meeting will be arranged shortly.

“In terms of the former Doctor Who Exhibition building in Cardiff Bay, discussions are ongoing with both Igloo, the landowners, and Welsh Government with a view to agreeing an extension of the lease arrangements following the expiry of the original five-year lease.

“If a new lease can be secured, there are a number of potential leisure based uses for the building that the administration will consider. I will make a statement in the near future regarding the financial impact on the council of the original decision to bring the Doctor Who Experience to Cardiff Bay.”

At the time the closure was announced, BBC Worldwide said that the exhibition had “enjoyed a fantastic five-year run in Cardiff Bay but, sadly, our five-year sub-lease from Cardiff council will come to an end in summer 2017. As to opening somewhere else, we are not sure yet.”

In response, Cardiff council said the land was owned by the Welsh Government and their development partner, Igloo Regeneration.

“It was leased to the council for five years to enable its relocation from Olympia to Cardiff on a temporary basis. It has always been the intention for the site to be developed as part of the ongoing Porth Teigr regeneration project. The agreement was always intended to be for five years only, reflecting the nature of the attraction.”

Cardiff council was asked for more details about the new plans hinted at by Coun Goodway but said it was unable to comment.