Female bias hits Cardiff as fall of superpub is predicted
Cardiff is on course to develop a "sophisticated nightlife" forecasts a report from property agents Stephenson & Alexander (S&A). Entitled Capital Nightlife... An Update it predicts a downturn in the popularity of the city's large superpub venues and steady growth of smaller, female-friendly bars and restaurants.
The agents originally published their report over a year ago when they predicted a boom in the A3 market following the opening of the Millennium Stadium. However, the stadium has lost a number of large sporting events, lessening demand.
Peter Clarke, associate partner with S&A, said: "Over the last 18 months Cardiff's licensed and leisure market has changed in response to customer demands, public pressure and legislation and planning restriction changes.
"The market is maturing, creating a far more sophisticated destination catering for a spectrum of demand rather than focusing almost solely on drinking clientele."
A3 is a classification for the use of premises as "use for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises".
It covers a broad range of both licensed and non-licensed premises including restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways.
Cardiff's A3 planning policy has resulted in a number of applications being refused or granted with restrictive conditions such as "restaurant only".
"The tightening of planning policy is due to a number of factors, the main one being pressure from South Wales Police to commit more resources to the city centre to deal with the effects of excessive drinking," said the report.
Many leases on larger premises are now subject to rent review. Most will be reviewed to open market levels but some provide for fixed increases. Recent developments, such as the Old Brewery Quarter, the former home of SA Brain, will add pressure for rental increases.
S&A said that it expects rents, currently averaging £14 to £15 per sq ft, to rise to a likely £17 per sq ft.
Pictured: The report predicts that a decline of superpubs in Cardiff will make way for female-friendly bars and restaurants.
