One of Cardiff's most popular bars and music venues has issued an update on the future of their new venue. In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Porter's shared that they will be relocating from their current home at Harlech Court and moving to the top end of Barrack Lane in the capital city.
It comes after years of uncertainty about the popular venue's future. In March 2021, redevelopment plans were announced which could see the demolition of Harlech Court on Bute Terrace to build what would be the tallest building in Wales if approved. The Draycott Group bought the building in May 2018, and as part of the plans said they were planning to knock it down and build 350 apartments on the site.
The plans have been faced with fierce opposition, with some residents calling for the council to step in and others describing it as an example of "big developers who [added] nothing to the city". Another resident pointed out it was "really sad" to see a "cultural venue like Porters shut shop, in favour of big developers".
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Over the years, Porter's has been a home for up-and-coming musicians, as well as hosting theatre and comedy nights at Cardiff's first pub theatre The Other Room based at the venue. With offerings both as a coffee shop and a cult favourite fixture in Cardiff's nightlife scene, Porter's has become a familiar name - so well-known that Hamilton creator and Encanto songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda turned up at one of the bar's singalong nights in 2018.
In a post shared on Facebook this week, Porter's announced that they would be relocating to a site not too far from Harlech Court. They also thanked those that had supported them throughout the years. In the post, they wrote: "Hello. To anybody who has ever asked about the ‘Porter’s situation’, or who has supported us in any way during our time at Harlech Court - Thank you. Here’s the news we’d imagine a lot of you have been waiting for.
"We have now signed a lease for 20 years on the building that will come to be known as ‘Porter’s’. Phew. We will, in time, be operating from the top end of Barrack Lane. That’s where our front door will be (not Charles Street). If you stand at our current front door and look beyond the left of the Admiral Building you can see it.
"Harlech Court has been great, but now we look to the future. The aim is to carry on the way we (and The Other Room Theatre) always have, but elsewhere. Doing everything that has made Porter’s what it is, but doing more, being more and contributing more; being the best possible version of ourselves. Thanks to EVERYONE who has stood by us and helped get us this far, and EVERYONE who has helped ensure we have a future. What would we do or be without you?
"We do not have a closing or opening date - how long is a piece of string? - but work (which there is a LOT of) will start in earnest in the next few weeks, and we hope to be firing on all cylinders in the new gaff (Barrack Lane, not Charles Street) just after the summer .
"Hard hats and paint brushes at the ready, we live to fight another day. Right, although we’re knackered, let’s do this, and do it better than we ever have before. Ymlaen. Dan and all of us X".
Many have responded to the news, with one supporter saying it was "amazing news", while others wished them well on their new venture. Minty's Gig Guide responded with: "Super tearing up here reading this Dan and the team. We know how solidly you have worked to this point and now the real work begins! We're not crying, you are! Let's do this!"
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