Simon_SW17 wrote:Reckon there may be a split of the building to other users, the Wales Online article mentioned that not all of the building is used by HoF.
I reckon that's exactly what will happen. But it will require some imagination as I understand the less attractive space for HoF is the upper floors but there is no separate access to the upper floors from ground floor level. Thats why, to date, they've not sub-leased it, e.g. to office occupiers, or converted it to apartments or hotel use.
Retailer's like ground floors because they get more footfall and have 'free' advertising space in the window displays. But they're going to have to give up some ground floor space to make a proper entrance to any hotel, or offices, or whatever, goes on the upper floors.
My guess is they will give up some of the space on the St Mary's Street side, perhaps where the main menswear department is currently (although they wouldn't have to give this all up). They would then have to consolidate the menswear section.
I think there's a question of whether they move some womenswear downstairs and have men upstairs. Women are more likely to make impulse purchases after seeing something on a browse. Men more likely to be on a shopping "mission". Thats why a lot of places have men on upper floors or basements and women on the ground. Could that work here? The impression I get is HoF in Cardiff has actually been relatively stronger on mens than womenswear though, so perhaps they wouldn't want to risk a (semi) successful formula?
On the upper floors I could see office space a little like the stuff at Morgan Quarter. I could see conversion into apartments. Or perhaps a 3-4 star hotel. I don't think the size and layout would be conducive to a 5 star establishment.
If I were HoF/SD I would think about bringing more food back into HoF stores. In particular a combination of a foodhall with some 'street food', if well signposted, could bring in footfall. You'd want it away from the clothing, but perhaps near accessories, gifts, cards, etc.