PUBS CLOSING UP FOR GOOD
IT was the last day of trade for another Cardiff pub yesterday as fellow SA Brains-owned pub The Wharf also closed its doors for the final time.
The Wharf, next to East Bute Dock in Atlantic Wharf, called its last orders and became yet another city pub to shut up shop.
Built in 1990, brewer SA Brain said it had decided to sell off the waterfront Wharf pub, in Schooner Way, Cardiff Bay, because of its lack of “longterm viability”.
Both the Westgate and The Wharf have joined a very long list of Cardiff watering holes that have closed in recent years, including:
The Poets Corner on City Road in Roath
The Duke of Clarence, Clive Road in Canton
The Canadian, Pearl Street in Splott
The Splotlands, Planet Street in Adamsdown
The Insole, Harley Street in Canton
The Gower, Gwennyth Street in Cathays
The Neville, Clare Road in Grangetown
The Foresters, Cowbridge Road East in Canton
The Vulcan, Adam Street in Adamsdown
The Bertram, Broadway in Adamsdown throughout the UK.”
But despite the closure, the final day was a brilliant one, helped along by Wales’ win against Slovakia.
Tony added: “It’s been fantastic. The last two months, the trade has picked up massively.”
Ian Sewell, also from Riverside, agreed that the closure was the end of an era.
He’s been going there for around 16 years every week, and says the group of locals will now find a new pub to meet up in.
Ian, 62, said: “It’s a shame. We’re not going to split up.”
Local Brian Donnelly, 76, has been drinking in the Westgate for more than 10 years and travels from Llandaff.
He said: “This building alone, it’s got so much history. Generations change.
“What can one say? We’re on the transfer list for the Cayo (on Cathedral Road).”
The application for the change of use for the premises will have to be given the green light by planning committee members of Cardiff council.
According to the proposals submitted to the council, there are no plans to change the physical building, other than the removal of four promotional posters which are attached to the outside of the pub.
A fresh application will be made to the local authority in due course, which will provide more details about any specific proposal to convert the pub into a residential dwelling.