Victorian pub set for new lease of life

Kieran Molloy, Local Democracy Reporter

A Victorian pub which served customers for 130 years is set for a new lease of life after plans to turn it into a restaurant, shop and flats were approved.

The Kings Castle in Canton, Cardiff, closed in early 2025 after what its owners described as a “lack of business”, with its adjoining shop shutting just over a year later.

Sarhan Investments Ltd has now been granted permission by Cardiff Council to convert the three-storey building into a restaurant and shop on the ground floor, with four one and two-bedroom flats above.

A council planning report describes the former pub as a “prominently-located public house with some rich ornamental details”.

The Victorian building already contains an apartment above the former pub, but the approved scheme will see its upper floors converted to provide additional accommodation.

Part of the ground floor will become a restaurant, with the remaining commercial space used as a shop.

Planning documents state that dividing the ground-floor space between the two uses would “improve financial viability” for the property.

The flats will be marketed towards “working couples or single occupancy”, with the applicant arguing there is demand for smaller homes in the area.

Extensions are also proposed at second-floor level.

The applicant said the redevelopment would improve the appearance of Cowbridge Road East, bring a vacant property back into use and provide additional housing.

Planning officers concluded there was little prospect of the building reopening as a pub.

Their report states: “Given that the pub use has ceased with no real prospect of re-commencement it is considered that use of the upper floors as self-contained flats would be the optimum viable use of the building.”

It added: “Overall and on balance it is considered that any minor negative impact on the character and appearance of the area would be outweighed by the provision of a good-sized flat within the extended part in a highly sustainable location.”

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