Another Cardiff pub is at risk of closure, The Ivor Davies, a cornerstone of Canton’s community.
A popular Cardiff Wetherspoons set at the heart of Canton, risks being closed by the end of 2024.
Owned by Wetherspoons, the pub is among 17 branches nationwide that the company has put up for sale, and could be closed by late 2024. This announcement follows a troubling national trend as figures reveal that last year (2023) Wales lost more than one pub every week.
“Don’t mourn it while it’s gone.” urges Nerys Lloyd Pierce, chair of Cardiff’s civic society. “The best thing anyone can do to try and keep your local alive is… go and use it.” The Cardiff civic society works to preserve Cardiff’s natural and built environments, including it’s many historic pubs.
“There aren’t many (pubs) that haven’t been closed down or converted to flats,” says Ms Lloyd-Pierce. Her statement echoes industry figures, as some 305 pubs closed across England and Wales in the first six months of 2024 alone (over 50 a month), according to real estate experts, Atlus Group.
John Lamb, a spokesperson for CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) said: “It’s sad to note the intended closure of The Ivor Davies which has played a significant role in the social and community life of canton and the city of Cardiff for 20 years.” CAMRA is a major campaigner for policies that support struggling pubs and promote their importance to local communities.
Following campaigning by Cardiff civic council and CAMRA, Cardiff’s city council listed 71 pubs, clubs, and cultural venues for protection under planning regulations. Yet, many of Cardiff’s most popular drinking institutions remain at risk. For example, The Rummer Tavern, Cardiff’s oldest pub (built in 1713) is privately owned, and remains unlisted, and thus unprotected.
Furthermore, listed pubs remain at risk. The Westgate is one example, a listed pub, it closed in 2016, and seemed certain to be sold as a private home, until new ownership came in, aiming to re-open later this year.
The Ivor Davies may become another pub in a long list that have closed across Wales. Such a loss is beyond physical, it’s a community and it’s memories disappearing entirely.
In 2024, Wales’ community must rally around it’s pubs. Now more than ever.