{"id":48701,"date":"2021-01-29T20:04:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T20:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=48701"},"modified":"2021-02-12T09:37:06","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T09:37:06","slug":"historic-canton-pub-transforms-to-help-local-businesses-through-the-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2021\/01\/29\/historic-canton-pub-transforms-to-help-local-businesses-through-the-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic Canton pub transforms to help local businesses through the pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tim Rice wants to turn The Corporation into a community hub to help local, sustainable vendors and entrepreneurs thrive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you walk past the Corporation Pub on Cowbridge Road you can tell it\u2019s a historic site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built in 1889, the pub was run by the Greene King brewery and had a reputation for attracting rough crowds. In 2017<\/a> it was briefly re-invented and a year later<\/a> the entire property, extending from 190- 194 Cowbridge Road East, was auctioned off to Cardiff-based dentist Kevin Gracias (and an anonymous business partner) for \u00a3810,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now Tim Rice, another Cardiff local and interior designer has been commissioned to give the pub yet another lease to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was commissioned for the project by an old friend, who happens to be the pub\u2019s anonymous new landlord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was five weeks ago. In another six weeks Tim wants the inside of the pub and the adjacent bookbinder offices (both currently a dusty construction site) to be a fully functioning in ecosystem of entrepreneurship, with gastronomical features, merchandise and services on offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had it in my head for ages,\u201d says Tim when I ask about the quick turnaround. \u201cIt\u2019s a small budget but you know I\u2019m good at what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we stand outside the pub a car beeps and Tim waves and starts chatting with the driver. \u201cWe used to be here all the time man,\u201d says the driver, who is quick to ask if the pub will reopen. \u00a0

This turns out to be only the first in many encounters with people variously stopping for a chat or waving as they pass by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tim