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Home NEWS What’s New in Cardiff for 2022

What’s New in Cardiff for 2022

As Cardiff partners across the city deliver the city’s recovery programme let us look ahead at what is either in development or is opening in 2022.

Exciting New Developments

Cardiff Council has announced major developments across the city including;

  • Red Dragon Centre/County Hall to include arena x 15K, hotel(s), mixed development – link up with WMC re cultural events – 2024/5 onwards.
  • Revival of canal quarter in Churchill Way
  • International Sports Village – new activities incl velodrome, adventure attraction, loop circuit for cycling/running/roller blades, bicycle shop, zip wire etc Velodrome opening 2022/3 relocated from Maindy
  • Capital Quarter to be completed in 2023

Brains Brewery site to be developed into a 7-storey hotel. Plans incl 228 bedroom hotel, Within the mixed development there is office space, apartments, 50 bars and restaurants and a 30,000 ft university campus. Brains brewery has moved to Dragon Brewery Cardiff Bay

New Accommodation

  • Parkgate Hotel now open in Westgate Street near Principality Stadium. It is located in former post office and county court.
  • Staybridge Suites were launched in November, serviced accommodation from the IHG brand. Located in East Dock, Atlantic Wharf and offering 73 one bedroom suites, kitchen, living areas, working spaces, gym & onsite shop The Pantry. The Den can hold meetings for up to 10.
  • Planning permission has been given for the development of serviced apartments in the city for example the corner site The Friary/Queen Street offering 166 apartments. At the other end of Queen Street there is a plan to develop a block of 140 serviced apartments.

Attractions

  • Techniquest officially reopened Autumn 2021 following a £5.5m refurbishment and extension.
  • Hensol Castle Distillery is taking bookings for groups and corporate events.
  • Museum of Cardiff reopened in September.
  • Plans are being drawn up to restore old cholera hospital on Flat Holm island off Cardiff Bay, as a visitor attraction.
  • Cardiff Castle opened a new immersive family attraction in Autumn 2021, based on story of Welsh hero Llewellyn Bren, described as a Welsh Robin Hood.

Activities

Investment going ahead in Lisvane and Llanishen reservoirs by Dwr Cymru. Sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding plus cafes. To be open 364 days per year.

Food and Drink

  • Baker Alex Gooch already has a small unit in King’s Yard Pontcanna but has now opened a much larger bakery, shop and café which is 100% vegan in Whitchurch Road.
  • A local company known for its championing of Welsh food and drink Croeso Pubs has opened The Daffodil at 33 Windsor Place, off Queen Street. GM is Alex Howells. They are featuring Cardiff market and local produce Real ales include Jemimas Pitchfork from Glamorgan Brewing Co, HPA from Wye Valley, Well Drawn Brewing and Tiny Rebel.
  • Nata and Co the bakery set up by a Portuguese family a few years ago now has outlets opposite Cardiff Castle, Capital centre & Clifton Street They sell 10K Portuguese tarts a week.
  • La Crème Patisserie owned by Ian and Sian Hindle has opened its first shop in Llandaff High Street having run a successful family business for 15+ years.
  • Chef Tom Simmons is winning lots of accolades for his restaurant Thomas in Pontcanna. He has had write-ups in the national media and is the only Welsh restaurant in Good Food Guide Platinum List. He supports local and Welsh producers and is influenced by French cuisine. His restaurant has a private dining room on first floor x 30. He has opened Ground bakery and café a few doors down.
  • Heaneys in Pontcanna is also award winning and is expanding.
  • Kindle has opened in the old warden’s house at entrance to Sophia Gardens. Run by the people from Dusty’s pizzeria and Nook. It sells itself as a sustainable wood-fired restaurant and Welsh produce is featured, with a focus on seasonal menus, small plates, natural wines and ‘fire food’. Sourcing from local farmers, gamekeepers, gardeners. Lots of alfresco seating – flagstones, railway sleepers, scaffold boards, have been used to create a garden, also energy efficient lighting and sheep wool insulation.
  • A hidden open air space Castle Quarter Courtyard is being developed sitting between High St Arcade and Duke St Arcade. This will contain 8 hospitality businesses. Opening 2022.
  • Par 59 is to open in St Mary Street Spring 2022. The venture is a partnership between footballer Gareth Bale’s company Elevens Group & Depot. It is a mini golf concept/open bar/restaurant with 3 x 9-hole mini golf courses.
  • St Davids Shopping Centre has introduced a line up of 8 local independents in the first phase.
  • Mermaid Quay is investing in a refurbishment restarting Sept 2022 after stalling due to pandemic. New landscaped space called Tacoma Square to be used for events overlooking Bay, new lighting, new cladding to bridge, public realm, new seating, new signage.

Sustainability

Cardiff Metropolitan University continues to be at the forefront in its sustainability policies. It has been awarded 5th place in survey of UK universities by People and Planet in recognition of its sustainable practices (late 2021).

Cardiff has been awarded silver in Sustainable Food Cities UK – just 3 cities are above Cardiff with gold. Cardiff is working towards gold in 2024

Team Building

Football Fiesta offers an Indoor football park at Culverhouse Cross. Packages include Company Kick around, Company Challenge and Re-Building teams

Events

Cardiff Castle has been scheduling events for 2022 incl its own concert programme, Depot at Castle and Luna Cinema.