City park closed due to anti-social behaviour gets a fresh new look

A CARDIFF park that was shut due to anti-social behaviour has been given a new lease of life.

St John’s Gardens outside Cardiff Market has re-opened to the public after being closed by the council six months ago.

In May, market traders said fighting, swearing and drinking in the gardens had been stopping customers from using the area.

Concerns were also raised over drug taking and “intimidating” behaviour in the park.

But now, following help from the probation service, the area has received a facelift after receiving funding from business improvement district FOR Cardiff.

Under the regeneration project, benches and fences were repainted along with work to clear overgrown plants and improve lighting.

Several war graves were also uncovered among the shrubs which will now be examined by the War Graves Commission. It is hoped their backgrounds will be put on display in the park in future.

Adrian Field, executive director of FOR Cardiff said: “Our responsibility at FOR Cardiff is to make sure the city centre is a welcoming and safe environment that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Protecting and maintaining the very few green spaces we have in the area is very important and it was a shame that, six months ago, the gardens were closed by Cardiff council due to persistent anti-social behaviour.

“However, FOR Cardiff wanted to create an outdoor area where events can take place. I’m proud of the transformation of St Johns Gardens which will allow the public to enjoy the beautiful gardens once again.”

The development forms part of a £7.5m investment by FOR Cardiff into the city centre from 2016 to 2021.

As part of the reopening, the business improvement district will also co-ordinate a seasonal entertainment programme for the space as well as take responsibility for opening and closing the space.

Cardiff council will continue to maintain the space.

The move follows after a digital locks were installed in the market’s public toilets earlier this year to address “illegal anti-social behaviour”.

As previously reported, customers now need to ask traders for a password to be able to use the toilets.