The independent traders being kicked out of their Cardiff shops
Welsh affairs editor Will Hayward speaks to the people behind the independent businesses being kicked out of their shops in Cardiff city centre
‘IT HAS just been ripped apart, it has been painful.” That is the message from the businesses at Castle Emporium on Cardiff’s Womanby Street which have been given a month to vacate this unique space in the Welsh capital.
For seven years this quirky premises has hosted multiple independent traders offering a range of goods and services. In an age of generic high streets, all with the same chain stores, the Emporium was something different.
However these traders, who have just come through a pandemic which has forced many small business to close, were told that they had to vacate the premises because it was to be replaced by a brewery bar.
Although the notice of licence termination and premises closure applies to the building, a number of the businesses currently operating there will maintain a presence online and elsewhere following October 29. E&W Couture and Claire Hill designs, which are based in the same building but separate from Castle Emporium, will remain open.
This is devastating to both the city and the people running the businesses forced to leave.
“These things come about when somebody puts their heart and soul into something,” said Emily Michael, 42. From Cyprus originally, Emily runs The Sho, which has a range of craft products and a bespoke framing service as well as being an excellent gallery. She also started the Emporium.
“We have had so much feedback from the public. Our customers have been really supportive. A lot of people came and spent more than they normally would, which really helps. I think a lot of people are panicking and want to visit before it goes away. They have also bought us chocolates and presents, which is really nice.”
Cardiff council is counting on people continuing to come into the city centre and are investing significantly in the infrastructure to get people in and out of the city. However, with the loss of places like Castle Emporium, Guildford Crescent, Ten Feet Tall and
The Vulcan, there are fewer things making the city unique.
“Obviously I think the city is worse for it,” said Emily. “It’s out of our hands and that’s the frustrating thing. It just comes down to money, doesn’t it?
“I’m guessing that the owner thinks that they [the new tenant] are more of a long-term reliable tenant, but I don’t know why because we have been here seven years and we managed to get through the pandemic. Surely that should have proven to them that we were here for the long term?
“After the pandemic I haven’t got it in me to do all this again. I just want to get through Christmas and then one day rebuild it maybe. I haven’t got the mental space in my head to do it. We have been going above and beyond every day to run this place and this is the last straw.”
Another Castle Emporium resident which will be looking for a new home is Heads Above the Waves, a not-forprofit organisation that raises awareness of depression and self-harm in young people. It also offers an area for young people who are struggling to come in, feel safe and be signposted to support.
“We are just absolutely gutted that we are being forced out of our home for the last four and a half years,” said Hannah Morgan, 34, who co-founded the organisation. “I work in hospitality so I understand the benefits of bars and restaurants to a city, but also feel there are already quite a few at the moment. Do we need another bar?”
There is a human cost to Heads Above the Waves closing – over the near half decade it has been based here, the organisation has literally helped saved young lives.
Hannah said: “It’s really humbling to hear that since we got the news we have had an influx of people coming in and saying how gutted they are
“We gave them a place to chat, get help and be signposted. People have told us this week that we actually saved their lives. We have also had people come in over the last couple of days who didn’t know about it before and we have had some really meaningful chats with them.”
Services like Heads Above the Waves are needed now more than ever, with mental health services struggling to cope with demand.
“The NHS is ground down right now,” said Hannah. “It’s an uphill battle for people to get support. We have had so many people come in and say they are at crisis point and have been turned away from a service because there is no capacity for them. We literally keep people safe in the shop by them staying and hanging out with us. For that to go, it is really scary. We are hoping to still provide as much support as we can online and hopefully when we find another space.
“There is a mental health pandemic on the way following the Covid pandemic and we are not prepared. As a society, we need to put more things in place to overhaul the system so that we are supporting more third-sector organisations.”
Sofia Nigro, who runs the Barber Room, said: “I have been here four years. I started it completely from scratch there. To get through the lockdowns and Covid to now being told we need to leave is hard. You pour your heart and soul into these businesses.
Gaz Blackburn, who runs Tropigaz plant shop, said: “Houseplants helped a lot of people through the lockdown so there is definitely more interest in them. I would like to keep the business in town if I can, but obviously town is quite expensive.
“It is nice to have company. It can be quite a lonely place in a shop on your own, so having all the other businesses around is a great support.”
Rosie Smith has just opened a new radical bookshop at Castle Emporium called ShelfLife Books & Zines, stocking anti-racist, LGBT+ and feminist literature.
She said: “We are a not-for-profit bookshop which specialise in alternative literature. They are books trying to change the world. We have been here just over a year so we started right in the middle of the pandemic. We were initially just a pop-up in my friend’s beer shop. It has been really good so far, so it was tough to hear the news.”
Tetra Tech Planning submitted a planning application to Cardiff council in May on behalf of Park Estates (Cardiff) Limited. A Tetra Tech spokesperson told the Western Mail the property will become licensed premises and is being let to a local independent brewer.
The building looks likely to turn into a taproom for independent brewer Mad Dog Brewery, based in Penperlleni near Pontypool. Cardiff council received an application from the brewery on Friday, October 1, for a licence to sell alcohol at the venue.