New design ready for take-off

DO YOU know, this is our fourth April column?

What does the clock in the Coal Exchange say? Tempus Fugit – and boy, it certainly does when you’re having fun.

I had a quick look at the previous Aprils to see what was occurrin’ “back in the day”, like.

Last year, I happened to mention the Wood Street car park demolition – a year on, works are only now starting on a bus station.

Going all the way back to April 2015, this was my very first instalment for the Echo.

In this first article I lamented the closure of the tourist information office in the Old Library in The Hayes – a cost-cutting move that seemed somewhat extreme to many of us.

The good news is that a council-run tourist information office did reopen in part of its old space last summer.

However, by way of a trade-off, it seems, the council’s information point and lovely shop in the Wales Millennium Centre has very recently – and sadly – closed.

I’m gutted, not least because I was very proud to have our products on sale in such an iconic building.

But heading back to The Hayes for a moment, if you’ve not been to the Old Library recently, why not?

This stunning Grade II-listed 1882 building seems (rightly) universally appreciated and yet, in spite of very high foot traffic in the precinct outside, many folks appear to be blind to it.

Perhaps it is just “part of the furniture”.

I know that many an incumbent has struggled to lure in passers-by.

I fully admit, months may pass without me visiting.

But there are many reasons to wander in and have a nose.

The brilliant Cardiff Story is still there for a start, and in 2016 the Old Library, or Yr Hen Lyfrgell, became home to Cardiff’s first Welsh Cultural Centre.

And these days, located upstairs in this fine building is the latest branch of Tim Corrigan’s local mini chain of quality cafés Milk & Sugar, or Llaeth & Swigr as it’s also known.

It opened last summer in the large, gallery-like space and it’s a wonderful (very family friendly) escape from the hustle and bustle below.

The food, like the service, is fab – if you’ve not been there (and I know many of you already have because it seems nicely buzzy whenever we’ve been of late), do check it out.

They also do “practise your Welsh sessions” here twice a week.

For more information on what’s happening at The Old Library (and to see the Milk & Sugar menu), visit www. yrhenlyfrgell.wales

In case you’re wondering, no, Tim didn’t pay me to big up that place, although he did treat me to a bacon bap last summer. (Maybe I’ll get another one now!)

We’ve just been a couple of times very recently and, luckily for you, I’m not cool enough to keep such places to myself.

And, talking of luck, we have two FOR Cardiff Gift Cards to give away and each is loaded with £50 spending money.

FOR Cardiff, which represents central Cardiff businesses with a view to improving the city centre, has created these cards to support independent businesses.

(They make a great gift and can be bought at cardiffgiftcard.com.)

Our prize draw competition is free to enter from today until Saturday and we’re running it on Facebook.com/ ilovesthediff, and Twitter and Instagram (@ilovesthediff) so you can enter up to three times if you like. Good luck/pob lwc!

Next week, Cardiff Airport suddenly becomes a lot more connected when daily flights to Doha – the world’s fastest growing hub – start. Last week, I Loves The ’Diff was very proud to play a small part in celebrating more good news for the airport – the official opening of the enlarged departures lounge and other upgraded facilities. Attendees were given “Super CWL” goody bags and merchandise, which we designed with the airport as an exciting little partnership. Look out for the vintage luggage tag logo next time you fly from Cardiff. Follow – or hurl abuse @ilovesthediff on Twitter, or ilovesthediff.com at – visit