Structural work at Coal Exchange
PARTS of Cardiff’s historic Coal Exchange are being demolished because of structural problems caused by a water pressure build-up.
The hotel that operates from the 19thcentury building has been closed since late February after a burst pipe caused worse damage than initially suspected, and parts of the exterior are now being torn down while the building is repaired.
Works by contractors on the privately owned building started two weeks ago.
Cardiff council said it notified the owners of the need to do work to make the Grade II-listed building safe in its role as planning authority after the building had become structurally unsound. The council also initially put a road closure in place due to the risk of falling masonry.
Repairs have since begun to the north side of the building, including partial demolition.
This side houses the main gas supply, which has been cut off during repairs. A spokesman for the hotel confirmed Cadw is “being informed” of the work to preserve the building’s listed status.
Built in 1888, the Coal Exchange is one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
As the heart of the city’s thriving coalexporting trade in the early 20th century, it is said to have been the place where the world’s first million-pound cheque was signed, in 1909.
It closed in the 1950s and later became a music venue after the coal trade dwindled. But the building was neglected and was in need of significant restoration when Cardiff council carried out emergency works to the building to make it safe in 2013.
It was later controversially handed over to a Liverpool-based hotel developer, Signature Living, with the expectation that the firm would carry out the renovation work.
Signature Living went into administration during the Covid pandemic, and the hotel subsequently reopened under new ownership and management.
When a video was posted on social media last week, one person commented that the state of the building reflected “stomach-churning neglect”, with another adding: “I live directly opposite the Coal Exchange, and we’ve said since day one it’s incredibly sad how the building has been ignored and neglected, to the point it is at now. A stunning building packed with history.”
It is understood that the section being removed will be rebuilt, but it is not yet clear if it will look exactly the same as it did before.
As it stands, the building will stay closed until March 31.
The hotel, originally a trading hub for coal, has had a turbulent few years and at one stage was declared “unsaleable.”
In a statement, a spokesman for the hotel said: “At present, parts of the north aspect of the building are being removed to ensure the building safety. Cadw are being informed of the work to help preserve the building’s listed status.
“At the moment the hotel and Culley’s Kitchen & Bar will be closed until March 31, if this changes will keep everyone updated. Once the work is completed, these venues will be reopened. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to welcome you back very soon.”
A Cardiff council spokesman confirmed: “The owner is having work done to the building which required an application to Cardiff council, in its role as the highway authority, to bring cranes on to the site at Mount Stuart Square.
“The owner had approval to close the roads temporarily while the cranes were on site.”
A Cadw spokesman said: “Controlled partial demolition has taken place to make the structure safe.
“The council is responsible for administering the regulatory controls for listed buildings.”
Guests who booked directly with the hotel will be contacted by the Coal Exchange team to rearrange or refund their booking. Guests who booked via a third-party company will be contacted by their booking provider.