What am I bid for popular old watering hole?

Jan 2 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

A CITY centre bar is predicted to net South Wales councils at least £700,000 when it goes under the hammer, and could be turned into trendy apartments or offices.

The former Glamorgan Staff Club on Westgate Street, Cardiff city centre, is listed for auction next month with a guide price of £700,000.

Agents say it is a “rare opportunity” to buy the once-popular club, which has been a members’ bar in recent years.

“The property offers fantastic potential for conversion to a number of different uses or a mixed use, subject to gaining the necessary consents,” says auctioneers Colliers CRE.

“Informal discussions with the planners suggest that they aren’t opposed to a change of use, particularly to A2 (financial or business offices) or residential use.”

The club is owned by Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil councils and could bring them much-needed cash when it goes under the hammer in London on February 18.

The Grade II-listed building is in a prime city centre location opposite the Millennium Stadium and just yards from St Mary Street.

In an online catalogue, Colliers says: “It is an attractive, Victorian, two storey, red brick building with moulded brick detailing under a slate roof with brick chimneys. It is arranged over basement ground and one upper floor. Its main entrance is on Westgate Street with a fire escape to the rear on Womanby Street. Internally the property requires refurbishment.”

Colliers adds: “It occupies a high-profile prominent position close to Cardiff Castle and directly opposite the Millennium Stadium.

“The surrounding area hosts various uses with numerous bars, restaurants and offices nearby.”

The club, which has 5,300sq ft of space, was the Campaign for Real Ale’s Cardiff branch’s current club of the year. The premises were previously owned by Mid Glamorgan County Council but the responsibility split in four in 1996.

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk