CardiffWalesMap

Is there anything happening with the former Red Hot unit? I think that would be perfect for a Toby Carvery as it's something people would be prepared to go a bit out of their way to get to (rather than a more expensive unit inside)

Toby have opened units in similar outlets so not a total stretch of the imagination:

The leasing map indicates that JRC Global Buffet still occupy this unit. We of course know that it has been closed for some time, therefore I looked at their website only to find the following statement:

"Our Cardiff Centre branch will be closed for Refurbishment from 2nd May 2017. We will reopen in Autumn 2019."

Amoore wrote:Is there anything happening with the former Red Hot unit? I think that would be perfect for a Toby Carvery as it's something people would be prepared to go a bit out of their way to get to (rather than a more expensive unit inside)

Toby have opened units in similar outlets so not a total stretch of the imagination:

Blimey, that has to be the longest refurb in history!

That really makes zero sense. How weird!

Well it closed as Red Hot (which had gone into administration) so perhaps there was a legal delay in the takeover of the site by JRC Global Buffet.

It's shame Sports Direct can't be persuaded to move inside the centre (perhaps the old Claus Ohlson unit) and Hills Street could be sub divided into A3 units.

I know its not a particularly attarctive enviroment at the moment but a bit of planting, some lighting, a canopy maybe and it could be a nice little stretch linking into Barrack Lane and Charles Street.

Totally agree with this Karl. The Sports Direct unit isn't the only culprit though.On the other side of Hills Street Debenhams plays a complimentary role in killing the street dead.

A few active frontages would make a world of difference there. With a canopy it could work particularly well for cafe's and restaurants.

The same thing applies to Charles Street, where the sides of Marks and Spencer and Next create a completely dead environment.

Debenhams are teetering on the brink so who knows. I agree about Charles Street. M & S could have located their cafe on the ground floor which would have brought a bit of activity but decided to go with the first floor overlooking Queen Street. The real issue is the building housing Next. It really does kill that street.

Hills Street is an odd one. It seems that the developers of SD2 run out of inspiration/money when it came to that area. The bit closest to the Hayes is reasonably sized and could have housed a number of kiosks but is a space that doesn't really do anything.

The bit closest to Barrack Lane is worse than before redevelopment. At least then the toilets were open and there was a Primark. The covered walkway was not really touched (still grey plastic guttering on it) and the shopfronts for Debenhams were left as they were. There is a big white wall near to the Principality that could have had a map, mosaic, piece of art but has remained blank.

It could have been a very active place given that its the quickest way to get from the east end of Queen Street and the railway station to the Hayes and St Mary Street but oddly seems to have been neglected.

Karl wrote:It's shame Sports Direct can't be persuaded to move inside the centre (perhaps the old Claus Ohlson unit) and Hills Street could be sub divided into A3 units.

Have you been inside Sports Direct? It's huge!

Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is due to open in Cardiff on May 17th. This interactive exhibition will be located at St. David’s and is expected to operate until September 2019 from the Clas Ohlson unit (MSU02).