Convention Centre - Has Cardiff Missed the Boat?

With the Celtic Manor looking to start their £80million pound convention centre this year, you have to wonder if Cardiff has missed the boat on this one:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... n-11143124

Sure, the Celtic Manor has done well with the NATO conference and the thought that they are turning away £100million of business every year is mind boggling! But it's not exactly in the centre of Newport and Newport is not the capital city of Wales!

I really do think that Cardiff needs to get its act together to build something like this that is in walking distance of the Central Station. The south side of the station, one of those empty plots on Callaghan Square would be ideal.

there are no trains at that conference centre so why is it better that its built there than in cardiff?

there are no trains at that conference centre so why is it better that its built there than in cardiff?

Yeah I agree and that's my point. Personally I don't own a car, so I try to avoid going to places like business parks etc., where you can only to be car, or need mulitple connenctions including a bus and/or taxi. Ideally, you want a centre that's very accessable via public transport, i.e. walking distance to a major station.

Three things that the Cetlic Manor does have in its favour:
1. The brand name, with a history of hosting big events.
2. A large hotel, with a golf course etc.
3. It's close to Bristol airport, which currently has much better connections and services than Cardiff!

the economic benefit is larger if it goes to cardiff!

doesnt the celtic manor have its own mini bus service?

its not that much closer to bristol? that cant make the difference?

Meanwhile.....

Bristol City Council has approved Populous’ competition-winning scheme for a new £92.5 million arena in the city

Last month the authority deferred a decision on the mixed-use development and its 12,000-capacity centrepiece venue due to fears about how people would get to the former diesel depot site in Bath Road next to Temple Meads railway station.

However the team, which features Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios and engineering firm Buro Happold, came back with reworked plans to tackle the concerns about access and transport. These included a proposed shuttle service from Bristol Parkway, an increase in bike spaces from 252 to 440 and more stewards to guide pedestrians.

It is understood the council, which is backing the project, has now set aside £7.75m of the scheme’s budget to fund coach drop-off bays, taxi spaces and more cycle parking.

Yesterday councillors on the development control committee unanimously approved the detailed plans for the arena, along with outline plans for 19,000m² of offices, leisure, housing and hotel development.

A report by council planners said: ‘The delivery of the arena will create a major destination within the city of Bristol and the South West region.

‘It will be an iconic building that will create both a strong civic presence and a dynamic building that will respond positively to its surrounding landscape.’

The team won the competition for the project in November 2014, beating off consortia headed by Grimshaw, Spain’s IDOM, White Arkitekter and Wilkinson Eyre.

It is anticipated that the arena will hold up to 116 events each year, with up to 20 using the maximum capacity.

The applicants anticipate that around 80 homes can be accommodated within the development with around 30 per cent affordable, but the exact numbers will not be confirmed until a detailed application is submitted.

Work is expected to start on site later this year which a schedulded opening date in 2018.

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That's gonna hurt the far too small CIA, Cardiff needs to up it's game now. A 12,000 capacity areas is going to be a lot more lucrative to a big band.

It would be nice to think that something was going on behind the scenes. The whole Callaghan Square - southside of station - dumballs road - brains brewery site? is all pretty quiet at the moment. With plenty of positivity in central sq and cap quarter, and iminent electrification and metro an ambitious convention centre / arena with associated tower (may as well go for gold) would be the icing on the cake and hopefully nudge various schemes in the right direction! Mind you I'm an optimist I'm still banking on a bluebirds promotion this season!!