General Developments

Work is also beginning on the building of student accommodation on the vacant site behind the Ernest Willows (I think it's called Oxford Street). There have been a number of applications for buildings in City Rd to be demolished and/or converted into residential with commercial on the ground floor. The Decorators Supplies shop for one and also one of the car lots. I think the planning apps have been made primarily to increase the sale value of the land/buildings rather than a serious intention on the part of the current owners to develop.

Rileys is now selling discount furniture, which surprised me when i noticed that, because i thought it was going to be some sort of community centre or something, but now its just selling cheap furniture, shame....

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/20-jobs-being-created-premiere-8436412

Premiere Cinemas to open in the Capitol in late February. With all tickets for shows at £4, I'll definitely venture there. Am I right in thinking there is room/was a bowling alley in the Capitol? Is there much of the Centre not being used now after the reopening of the cinema?

Is "late Feburary" one of those 'finger in the air' dates, because it's late February now, and there seems to be a distinct lack of any movement, announcments or publicity.

I believe they're looking at March now for the cinema. It's still very much going ahead because they have stripped the place and installed new seating and technology.

There is an application for 109 St Mary St to be changed to a backpackers hostel (I think the application is from the same people behind Bunkhouse).

This is a very nice terracotta brick building that was previously used as a council housing place and thereafter as a drug users drop in place (I think). It's in the block that houses Prezzo and Panda Panda and architecturally is one of the best blocks on St Mary Street.

I think this is a good use. It would be hard to let as offices and the location doesn't lend itself well to retail. It also means more young travellers in the city centre which can't do footfall any harm.

There is an application for 109 St Mary St to be changed to a backpackers hostel (I think the application is from the same people behind Bunkhouse).

This is a very nice terracotta brick building that was previously used as a council housing place and thereafter as a drug users drop in place (I think). It's in the block that houses Prezzo and Panda Panda and architecturally is one of the best blocks on St Mary Street.

I think this is a good use. It would be hard to let as offices and the location doesn't lend itself well to retail. It also means more young travellers in the city centre which can't do footfall any harm.

That building was originally the "Queen's Hotel" - hence the Queen's Vault pub behind it. Well suited for accomodation!

A Kaspas banner has appeared on the old Crouch (The Goldsmiths) unit on St Mary Street. It's the same company which recently opened up a gelato/dessert house on City Road

http://www.kaspas.co.uk/

General developments update..

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... ts-8799698

Lots going on

Or not going on in Capital Waterside and Porth Teigr!

General developments update..

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... ts-8799698

Lots going on

There are several points that need to be addressed, firstly, for me the most important of these developments is the university innovation centre, because its going to link university research with business and banking. We as a country cannot complete on price as labour cost in other parts of the world are far lower, so we must complete on excellence. Having a world class university and being a financial hub, in this instance, gives Cardiff a bit of a head start and is a logical place for such a facility. Secondly and this has not been mentioned in this article, is the need to develop an integrated transport system like the proposed metro. This will have a number of benefits and address some of the concerns regarding Cardiff having all the developments, while the rest of Wales, seemingly gets nothing. Easier journey times between the areas from Bridgend and the Valleys to Cardiff would give people easier access to potential highly skilled jobs whilst at the same time, allowing them to remain in the communities which they call home. An additional benefit is that the monies earned would be mostly spent in those communities. A lot has been said about projects like the Pontypridd Lido. I suggest that an improved transport system would allow more people to make use of such a facility, not to mention many other proposed projects. My point in this instance is that the reasons for many Valley communities have gone, coal, gone, iron and steel, gone, but that may be a good thing. The world has changed and those industries are unlikely ever to return, so the Welsh Valleys have to reinvent their purpose, do they wallow in self pity dreaming of the good old days or embrace a future linked to a prosperous Cardiff? I would argue that's its all about perspective and instead of thinking of the Valleys and Cardiff separately, they along with Newport are equal parts of a greater region. My final observation is about lifestyle and quality of life. I've already mentioned Pontypridd Lido and now want to talk about the International Sports Village, the former tram depot and Cardiff Central Station. Work is important, so is family and community, but I would argue that the facilities such as the ones in the article also have value. These along with such things like the biking and hiking trails in the Valleys, give us an immeasurable life quality and can give life meaning beyond what is tangible.