FOR Cardiff are pleased to see the plans for the expansion and development of the iconic Clwb Ifor Bach take a step forward today.
Clwb revealed today that an application has been submitted to transform the space into a brand-new fully accessible multi-room venue.
Not only is Clwb Ifor Bach a legendary building block in Cardiff’s musical culture but this redevelopment plan aligns strongly with ambitions that Cardiff has laid out in its policy documents to Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government.
Cultural destinations like the one that Clwb Ifor Bach is hoping to redevelop itself into are a vital part of the changing fabric of our urban centres. In 2021 we said to Welsh Government,
‘As city centre use becomes less about necessity and more about desire, cultural institutions and installations become more important than ever in ensuring the vitality of our places. Cultural destinations with high standard work and broad social appeal should be anchored, and protected, in our [cities].’
The new and improved vision for Clwb Ifor Bach, protecting its grassroots heritage whilst providing a larger platform for growing acts and contributing to its wider charitable goals, could provide a perfect example of how a cultural institution can support the wider city environment – Clwb Ifor Bach is the anchor of Cardiff’s legendary Womanby Street and its cultural presence is already felt all across the city and Wales.
In advance of the council elections in 2022 we called on Cardiff Council to,
‘Work with [partners] to bring neglected and vacant spaces back into interesting and productive use’, Work with existing city centre cultural venues and other non-owner-occupied assets of community value to secure sustainable futures [and] prioritise long term safe sites for the full cultural and artistic spectrum.’
The development proposals include taking an abandoned site under the Clwb umbrella and bringing this unloved and under-utilised part of the city centre back to life. An excellent use that can support the wider city centre.
Find out more and support the redevelopment of Clwb Ifor Bach here.
Read our Manifesto for Cardiff city centre here.