Splott’s only existing pub has been selected for Cardiff’s local heritage list in order to preserve its history.
Regulars at Splott’s last remaining pub have welcomed a move to give it heritage status that will protect it for the foreseeable future.
The Cottage is Splott’s only pub still welcoming local drinkers and has been selected by Cardiff’s council as one of 71 different sites to be listed as a local heritage site.
Landlord Danny Dod said, “Nobody is coming to pubs anymore. They are getting rid of pubs in local areas so the industry is more concentrated in the city. Going on the heritage list will stop our pub from being knocked down.”
Former pubs in Splott have been either preserved but turned into flats or become derelict as the industry gradually becomes less popular, leaving the Cottage as the only social space for local drinkers.
In the first six months of 2024, 305 pubs closed across England and Wales, according to real estate intelligence firm, Atlus Group.
Pubs want to welcome as many customers as possible as tax is heightened and therefore profit is lessened. The potential ban of smoking outdoors in beer and pub gardens is also a concern for pub owners and workers.
“When I first came to the pub, it was full of young people in balaclavas who rode electric scooters. They were mostly drug dealers. Once, one of them just said to me ‘fag’ and I thought they were using a slur but turns out he was just asking for a fag. Where’s the please? I just tell them to get lost now if they can’t follow basic rules.” Said Danny Dod
The Cottage has been serving customers for over 100 years, opening in the early 1870’s. It focusses on welcoming regulars to bring the community together, hosting open mic and karaoke nights throughout the week.
Keeping the local pub industry in business is important for the history of Cardiff. The Cottage is a hub for the Splott’s community.
Pub regular, Tom Seacombe, said “I commute from west Wales to Cardiff as I work for the NHS. I have a place up the road for when I have to stay here. This is my local. It’s an interesting pub, a little rough around the edges. It’s still a proper boozer though, they’re just nice about it.”