Neighbours have complained about revellers urinating in gardens and vomiting on doorsteps after previous club nights
RESIDENTS in Grangetown have shared concerns over Tramshed’s bid for a permanent licence allowing it to close at 3am on 31 nights a year.
Issues of anti-social behaviour after previous late-night events have been raised, as well as concerns over noise, traffic and littering.
Tramshed previously held a licence to open until 3am on 21 nights a year before getting permission from Cardiff Council for two temporary 12-month licences, which allowed up to 31 nights annually.
The first of these licences started in July 2020, while the most recent expired on November 4 2022.
Tramshed now wants permission to turn these temporary measures permanent, allowing them to put on 31 late night events per year indefinitely.
Residents have long voiced concerns; 75 of them signed a petition against the original temporary licence awarded in 2020 because of complaints over anti-social behaviour.
This ranged from gig-goers urinating in residents’ front gardens and fighting in the street, to traffic and noise complaints until the early hours.
They say these issues were still happening during the most recent temporary licence period, which has reignited strong opposition to the plans.
Hayley Evans’ 62-year-old dad, Paul, lives opposite Tramshed on Clare Road. She says people have urinated and vomited on his doorstep after gigs there.
The 29-year-old witnesses these issues when she comes to stay and also voices concerns over noise.
“It is horrendous at all hours of night. It constantly wakes him up and disturbs his sleep. People screaming, car horns beeping and constant traffic, people knocking the door at all hours.”
“He’s lived here for nearly 30 years so is used to the normal noise of Clare Road, but this is something else. He’s even had to buy ear plugs due to the noise,” said Miss Evans.
Joanna Western, who lives in a flat above Tramshed, echoes these concerns. She believes the venue’s purpose has changed since she moved in.
“The original plans said the venue would be a community arts / music venue suitable for the community,” she said.
“I am very disappointed that over time the venue seems only to want to be attracting a late-night drinking culture to the area.
“This has already brought a lot of anti-social behaviour to this residential area including littering and drunk and disorderly people loitering in the street.”
“I want myself and other residents to feel safe in our neighbourhood,” added Miss Western.
Another resident, Maggie Birkett, lives in an end-of-terrace house by Tramshed and says her two young children have been woken up by the noise.
“People talk loudly and make a lot of noise as they walk past post-events, sometimes lingering outside the house for a while. This has all been extremely unpleasant.”
Ms Birkett has seen people leaving litter on her garden wall and urinating against her neighbour’s home.
She also has concerns about the “horrendous” traffic congestion and pollution caused by people getting picked up and dropped off.
“We should be aiming for greener, safer and less polluted urban areas, and businesses like the Tramshed don’t add to this.”
However, there are locals who can see both sides of the proposals.
Neffertiti Delgado, a 58-year-old Grangetown resident and community radio host, says it could be a nightmare for those living nearby.
She can also see why Tramshed is looking for a later licence with the festive season approaching but questions whether the venue could do anything for those affected by the plans.
“Are they going to do anything for residents it will directly affect such as extra soundproofing for the building or discount passes on gigs, shows or hiring?” She asks.
The plans do have support from fellow local business.
Tudor Barber is a Grangetown resident and the owner of the nearby Neighbourhood Kitchen & Bedrooms.
His business employs three local residents and benefits from the increased footfall on event nights. He says that money spent by guests visiting Tramshed feeds directly back into the local economy.
“We understand their late-night trade is essential to the venue’s survival. It has worked very hard over the years to be an asset to the community and we fully support it.”
He also feels that the venue’s lights and visible security presence makes the area around Clare Road safer. “Any extension of its trading hours will only encourage this further,” says Mr Barber.
Tramshed has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.
In the application submitted in September the venue says it is “not aware of any complaints that have been made from local residents to the council’s Environmental Health Department and has received no complaints directly”.
“Tramshed continues to work in collaboration with the police to ensure that we can do everything in our power to ensure that Tramshed continues to operate as a good neighbour within the local community.”
“Since planning permission to enable 31 late night events until 3am was approved in November 2021, the applicant has operated a range of events which have added to the success of the venue and in turn generated substantial benefits to the City.”
