Fight to save Cardiff’s music heritage boosted

THE fight to save Cardiff’s much-loved Womanby Street has had another boost.

Cardiff council is to buy a piece of land next to Clwb Ifor Bach in a bid to protect the street’s live music heritage.

The council would then effectively lease the land back to the venue to allow it to expand.

There has been a huge campaign to protect Womanby Street from developments which would threaten the future of its venues.

The first application which campaigners feared threatened its future was for hotel rooms above The Gatekeeper Wetherspoon’s pub.

Then a developer wanted to build flats on the land next to Clwb Ifor Bach. Last month it was revealed the developer had pulled out of that deal, causing huge relief for those involved in the campaign.

The concern was that if flats were built, residents might complain about loud music, which could have resulted in licences being revoked if any complaints were upheld – despite the venues being long-established.

Campaigners called on the council and Welsh Government to offer protection to music venues.

Now the council has announced it will buy the derelict site and it could see Clwb Ifor Bach go on to expand their venue. The cost of the land is confidential.

Council leader Huw Thomas said: “By intervening in this way, we are protecting what is the beating, pulsing heart of music in our city centre. Womanby Street is host to several live venues which create an atmosphere and district unlike any other in the capital. Some of the world’s greatest bands and musicians, on their way to the top of the music business, will have performed in these venues at some point over the past 30 years and thousands of music fans will have unforgettable memories of their times in these clubs.”

His cabinet colleague Peter Bradbury said that the council is also looking at a new music strategy for the city.

It is working with advisors Sound Diplomacy to devise a new plan for growing Cardiff’s live music scene.

Councillor Bradbury said: “Sound Diplomacy have done some excellent work across the globe.

“They seem excited about working in Cardiff and I am looking forward to confirming their involvement in the next few weeks.”