Pizza company shells out dough for well-known city landmark
AWARDEN’S bungalow in Cardiff city centre has been acquired by an award-winning pizza restaurant.
Dusty Knuckle has taken over the building, which was being marketed by EJ Hales on behalf of Cardiff Council.
The 650 sq ft bungalow is a wellknown Cardiff landmark and is passed by thousands of pedestrians and motorists each day.
The pizzeria will transform the property on the edge of Sophia Gardens into a brand-new 100-cover eatery, complete with open kitchen, fire pits and in-house bakery.
Dusty Knuckle expects to open the venue in spring 2019.
Following a complete renovation of the existing structure, which looks out on to Cowbridge Road East, when it opens the warden’s house will give the Dusty Knuckle team an opportunity to go beyond their trusted stable of award-winning pizzas.
Dusty Knuckle founder Phill Lewis said that he is working towards an estimated opening date of March 2019, but highlighted the huge task ahead.
He said: “The inside of the warden’s house looks like a time capsule.
“Nothing has been touched or changed for years, so there is a huge amount of work to be done to turn it into a working restaurant.
“It’s going to be all hands on deck for the foreseeable, but we can’t wait to bring our vision for this amazing building to life and to become part of the growing independent restaurant scene in the city centre.”
Mr Lewis says that new premises will require the hiring of an additional 20 staff, with recruitment to begin in the new year.
He estimates the cost of the refurbishment of the building to be around £250,000.
The new warden’s house restaurant will be an addition to the Dusty Knuckle portfolio – their existing outpost at the Printhaus in Canton will continue to run, and the streetfood arm of the business (catering for events, festivals etc) will also continue. A weekend pitch at Ogmore beach will also be serving Dusty Knuckle pizzas every Sunday (weather permitting).
Dusty Knuckle was also named as one of the restaurants that is expected to open at the Goodsheds development in Barry.