After a quiet shutdown in 2022, Tiger Yard returns with big plans and bigger expectations, but can it turn things around?
A popular food quarter in Cardiff Bay is preparing for a second launch after its first attempt quietly folded last year.
Tiger Yard, a container-based street food venue next to the Norwegian Church, originally opened in 2022 with high hopes but shut down within months due to poor weather protection and patchy footfall.
This April, it’s back with a redesigned layout, improved shelter, a new operator team and eight confirmed traders, including Brother Thai, Mr. Croquewich and The Greedy Bear.
“This is a second chance for the project,” says Nick Saunders, one of the organisers behind Tiger Yard. “We’ve completely changed how the space works, based on what didn’t work last time.”
Saunders is best known as the founder of DEPOT, an award-winning events company in Cardiff that turns underused spaces like warehouses and shipping containers into creative hubs for food, music and community. Over the last decade, DEPOT has run large-scale pop-ups across the city, including Winter Wonderland, rooftop bars and street food festivals.
Tiger Yard is the latest in that lineage. But this time, organisers say, the goal is permanence, not just spectacle.
“We’ve learned that for something like this to work, it needs to feel reliable,” Saunders says. “We’re not just doing cool lighting and a few food stalls. We’re building a place people want to come back to.”
Tiger Yard is now part of the Bay’s Container Village and will operate for six months from spring to autumn, with weekly events, live DJs and seasonal themes.
Its reopening comes as Cardiff Council pushes ahead with a £1.6 million regeneration strategy to boost dwell time and independent-led business in the Bay area.
“The potential was always there,” Saunders adds. “This time, we’re doing it properly.”
What makes this relaunch different, according to organisers, is a complete shift in operational strategy from short-term pop-up to a semi-permanent venue designed to grow over time.
All eight traders are now signed on for the full season. That consistency, organisers say, is key to building habits, loyalty and repeat footfall.
“It’s about rhythm,” says Saunders. “You build regular audiences by being predictable, consistent and open.”
Tiger Yard will also host a full events calendar, including DJs, themed nights and weekend markets. Unlike its earlier version, these will run on a structured weekly schedule to give the venue a consistent social presence.
The goal, Saunders says, is to offer both daytime and nighttime experiences: coffee and casual lunch during the day, atmosphere and music after dark.
The new layout reflects this approach, with better shelter, lighting, and open pathways that encourage people to linger. Signposting has also been improved to better link the site with Cardiff Bay station and Mermaid Quay.
Organisers hope the site’s location within the Container Village will strengthen its identity as part of a growing food and retail ecosystem. This, combined with long-term trader investment, gives the space a stronger foundation.
Crucially, Tiger Yard is no longer operating alone. Its team is now working closely with Cardiff Council and Bay partners to align with the city’s broader regeneration efforts.
Cardiff’s £1.6 million Bay strategy emphasises flexible, creative spaces that support local business and increase dwell time. If Tiger Yard proves successful, organisers believe it could offer a blueprint for similar transformations elsewhere.
“We’ve built this with longevity in mind,” Saunders says. “If it works, it’s not just good for the Bay. It could be a model for the whole city.”
For many visitors and locals, the revival of Tiger Yard is more than just another food venue—it’s part of Cardiff’s changing cultural identity.
Huw Morgan, a Cardiff resident who works near the Bay, says spaces like Tiger Yard make the area feel more inviting and vibrant after work hours.
“It’s the kind of place where you can drop by without booking, meet friends or just grab a bite and sit outside,” he says. “It feels relaxed but still like something’s happening.”
Many residents say the container-style setup also appeals to younger people and casual diners who may not want or afford a full sit-down meal.
A 2023 report by Creative Cardiff highlighted those informal cultural spaces—such as open-air food courts, creative markets and hybrid venues—play a key role in boosting both local economies and a sense of place. These are often the entry points for new entrepreneurs, younger audiences and diverse communities.
In the Bay, where much of the footfall comes from tourists and day-trippers, the hope is that Tiger Yard can offer something uniquely Cardiff. With bilingual signage, rotating local musicians and a strong social media presence, it aims to feel both accessible and authentic.
While Tiger Yard may still be finding its rhythm, organisers believe the project taps into something bigger than just business.
“We’re trying to create more than a food court,” Saunders says. “We’re building a reason to come to the Bay—and a reason to come back.”