The Corporation, Cardiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Corporation |
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| General information | |
| Type | Public house (1889–2017) |
| Location | Canton |
| Address | 188 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF5 1GW |
| Town or city | Cardiff |
| Country | Wales |
| Completed | 1889 |
| Renovated | 2021 |
| Designations | Grade II listed building |
The Corporation, often called The Corp, is a well-known building in Canton, a part of Cardiff, Wales. It first opened in 1889 as a pub, a place where people could gather. After many years, it closed as a pub in 2016. But don't worry, it reopened in November 2021 with a new purpose! Now, it's a cool space for small, independent businesses to sell their goods.
A Look Back at The Corporation's History
The Corporation building was built in 1889. It got its name because it was built on land owned by the Cardiff Corporation, which was like the city council back then. It stands on a very noticeable corner that used to be called Canton Cross. This area was once home to Canton Market. Today, it's at the corner of Cowbridge Road East and Llandaff Road.
The building is quite large, with two main floors. It's made from dark grey stone called pennant sandstone. It also has a tall, four-story tower right above its main entrance. In 2001, The Corporation was given a special status as a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important old building that needs to be protected because of its history and design. It's known as a "bold and unaltered piece of late 19th-century street architecture." It's also very close to Canton Library.
The 21st Century: Changes and New Beginnings
The Cardiff Council owned the building. For a while, a company called Greene King, which owns many pubs, rented it. But in March 2016, they decided not to rent it anymore, and the pub closed. The Council then looked for someone new to rent the building. It still had its license to sell alcohol, so it could have stayed a pub.
After opening for a short time, the pub closed again. In November 2018, the building was sold at an auction for £810,000. The new owner planned to give it a new look and open it again in 2019. Then, in August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the car park behind The Corporation was used for something new. It became an outdoor place for pop-up street food, known as The Corporation Yard.
In early 2021, there was exciting news! It was announced that the building itself would reopen later that year. The idea was to make it an extension of The Corporation Yard. It would have an indoor market space and a cafe bar. A designer from Cardiff named Tim Rice planned the space. It was divided into 24 small units, with tables and chairs spread around for people to relax.
Finally, in November 2021, the building was completely changed and opened as the "Corp Market." It's now a vibrant place where you can find independent shops, a bar, and a coffee shop. It's a great example of how an old building can get a new life!
