CardiffWalesMap

jones4891 wrote:Me too. In fact never heard anyone refer to it as Caroline St or (god forbid) Chippey Alley. Maybe it's a generational thing, but it'll always be Chippy Lane to me and I've been in and around Cardiff for over 30 years.

You're probably right about it being generational. I'm Cardiff born and bred and in my sixties and it's always been simply Caroline Street. I'm guessing the chip business date back to 1980s or 1990s. Before then the street was more of a mix, known for Fry's darts and porn emporiums (don't ask) and Steak Houses like El Greco's and Taurus. I think I'm right in saying that the only chip shop was Dorothy's. I'm guessing when I say that the name was probably a student invention.

"Fry's Darts and Porn emporium" - was that the newsagents with a set of western style saloon doors at the back of the shop?

dazplott wrote:"Fry's Darts and Porn emporium" - was that the newsagents with a set of western style saloon doors at the back of the shop?

That was the last of the them. There were four or five dotted around Caroline Street, Bridge Street and Wyndham Arcade at one time - all run by members of the Fry family. I've always assumed that darts in the window were there as an excuse for blokes to enter the shop - "right,love, I'm just going in here buy some new flights!"

Have been home for the weekend and noticed that no work has commenced on the Howell's redevelopment. I see on the letting brochures that the large retail unit on St. Mary St is under offer, are works waiting for some confirmed lettings I wonder?

Wilko Queen Street finally has a new tenant. Holland & Barrett are relocating to create a much bigger store, based on their London flagship.

That's a big 3 floor shop, how much space will they need?

Any sign of progress on the new leisure development (forgot the name) in The Capitol?

Simon_SW17 wrote:Any sign of progress on the new leisure development (forgot the name) in The Capitol?

Work due to start in January. Cafe Nero has been served notice to vacate but I believe there's talk of them relocating to the former Pret unit.

Amoore wrote:

Simon_SW17 wrote:Any sign of progress on the new leisure development (forgot the name) in The Capitol?

Work due to start in January. Cafe Nero has been served notice to vacate but I believe there's talk of them relocating to the former Pret unit.

The former Pret was going to be Black Sheep coffee but the window decals have been removed, so that would add up.

The Queen St. facade of The Capitol is in a really poor state, the glass canopies are covered in moss and dirt and there are plants sprouting out from the walls. It looks abandoned, hope there are plans to smarten it up.

Simon_SW17 wrote:

Amoore wrote:

Simon_SW17 wrote:Any sign of progress on the new leisure development (forgot the name) in The Capitol?

Work due to start in January. Cafe Nero has been served notice to vacate but I believe there's talk of them relocating to the former Pret unit.

The former Pret was going to be Black Sheep coffee but the window decals have been removed, so that would add up.

Apparently Black Sheep are known for taking an option on premises, then try to find a franchisee for the location. In this instance they couldn't find anyone to take it on so they handed back the keys.

Full panning documents for Howell's phases 4 & 5 have been submitted, lots of reading in the over 200 documents!

https://www.cardiffidoxcloud.wales/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SOP9PAECIXD00

Good to see work had commenced on site when I was home in December. Assume it's a couple of years until completion, does anyone know?