Historic buildings are earmarked for demolition
CARDIFF Council acted too slowly to save City Road’s historic buildings from being demolished, claim councillors in Plasnewydd.
Buildings such as the Roath Park Pub and old Gaiety Cinema are set to be knocked down in the near future and be turned into student accommodation and a temporary car park.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Rodney Berman says it’s disappointing to see the old Gaiety Cinema in its current ruined state.
“It’s quite sad because it’s a part of our heritage here in Roath and when it was in a better state it was a great local landmark,” he said.
The Gaiety Cinema first opened it’s doors in 1912 and over the years turned into a bingo hall and then a bowling alley. It shut its doors in 2006 and has been left empty ever since.
Robert Anshaw, a local resident for more than 50 years, says the building was a great loss to the community,
“I’ve had bloody good times over there, and that’s it, it’s a shame what they’re doing to City Road,” he said.
“It’s a part of the history of Roath, it’s like knocking down a church”.
Cardiff Council has been approached for a comment but is yet to respond.
Councillor Berman says he feels the council is lacking the drive to preserve the history of the road.
“It’s really I think a case of political will and sadly I don’t think with the current Labour council that the political will is there,” he said.
