Cardiff Retail

I see that a new decent looking Italian/pizza restaurant is likely to open at 14 High Street - the old Kitchens (and I think later a temp Welsh gift) shop? Next to Corner Coffee. Another quality food joint at this end of High Street/St Mary Street. It's really turning into the new Mill Lane! There's a planning application in.

I also see that Piano Works is opening at the bottom end of St Mary Street.

JD sports is going in the old Sports Direct unit in St David's. Wonder what this means for the one on Queen Street...

I wish something would happen with the old Lloyds business bank on the corner of Queen Street- it has been empty for years and looks dreadful...

Piano Works is a rebrand of Dirty Martini, same owner, Nightcap group.

The JD Sports on Queen St will close and move to the new St.David's store.

The old Lloyds building does look terrible, I think it could benefit from being demolished and rebuilt. We'll see what happens.

An article on Wales Online about new plans being submitted for the Howell's development. I tend to agree with comments from Cardiff Civic Society about the new middle ('massive' according to WOL) tower. Its design isn't in keeping with the rest of the building and I think it would look odd poking out of the top of the scheme.

Thoughts?

https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/first-look-massive-11-storey-32737171

I dont really buy this idea that it ruins the views of the city centre from certain locations. Due to its setback from the existing facades it wont be visible at all from street level nearby. And the skyline is hardly iconic - it's not like it blocking the view of St Paul's!

there also needs to be some economic reality - these types of schemes almost always require a significant residential element to make them viable.

I really don't see much of a problem here.