A major Cardiff building is set to remain closed for three years
It's been closed for more than 18 months and now Cardiff Council has issued an update on St David's Hall. The popular city centre classical music venue was shut in September 2023 after the council found that the building contained a type of lightweight concrete prone to sudden failures as it ages called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Academy Music Group (AMG), which operates music venues across the country, has signed an agreement for a lease to run St David's Hall and details are being finalised for that now. The re-opening of the venue has stalled and been put back a number of times over the years.
At the last update earlier this year it had been expected to re-open in autumn or winter 2026. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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Now, the council has said that the hoped for re-opening date has been put back to 2027. But the good news is that planning permission was granted recently to carry out the necessary work so it is looking positive.
A council spokesperson said: 'Planning permission has recently been granted for the necessary renovation work to St David's Hall.
"This is an important step towards the council's goal of seeing the building re-opened to the public. Details of the lease agreement with AMG are now in the process of being finalised, so that work can begin as soon as possible.
"Once work has begun it is expected to take in the region of 18 months to complete. Subject to any unforeseen issues, St David's Hall could re-open in early 2027."
St David's Hall is the usual venue for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World which was postponed to 2027 after it closed. It is hoped the venue will be ready to open and host the event for that.
Meanwhile there is also an update on the other iconic Cardiff building also shut by Raac - City Hall.
The 120-year-old building will cost up to £69m to restore to modern standards, it has been revealed. The building has been also been closed since October 2023.
Council officials have been drawing up a plan to fund and carry out the refurbishment the 1906 building needs. The historic hall was used to host events as well as for office space, council functions and as meetings rooms for councillors.
Options from a "do minimum" refurbishment bill of £29m to the full cost £69m including a full maintenance backlog and creating modern office space has been looked at.
The impressive Edwardian building, opened by Lord Bute, has marble floors and statues of famous Welsh historic figures. The doors were closed in October 2023 after the problems with the heating, electrics and asbestos worsened.
Councillors were told in a report in May 2024 that the original hope had been to re-open the building by that same month, but the work was too large. Issues with the heating system and work to remove asbestos would not be complete until the end of 2025 and the building would not re-open until early 2026, councillors were told.
Now, a fresh update and details of how the plans are progressing are due to go before cabinet, the council said.
A spokesperson said: "Work on City Hall is progressing well and the building is expected to reopen next year, once work is complete. A full update on progress will be provided to Cabinet in due course."
The council was unable to give an exact date for when that progress report would be out.
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