One of Cardiff's most popular bars and music venues has spoken out amid plans to close it down and redevelop the site into a 35-storey apartment block. Developers want to demolish Harlech Court, on Bute Terrace - the home of Porter's bar - to build what would be the tallest building in Wales.
Redevelopment plans were initially announced in March 2021, to fierce opposition. The Draycott Group bought the building in May 2018, and as part of the plans is now planning to knock it down and build 350 apartments on the site. The development would see Porter's decade-long lease at the site come to an end in October 2022.
The bar had previously called for help from Cardiff council in finding a new building and said Draycott had been a “decent and supportive” landlord. There had been uncertainty about the future of the popular city centre bar which is known for its live music events as well as comedy events. Actor and composer Lin Manuel Miranda was spotted having a great night there in 2018. However, owners have now announced they have found a new building for Porters, should a licence be granted. They have started a huge fundraising campaign in the hopes to raise £75,000 to renovate the new site.
Read more: 'Anonymous, dreadful, misguided' Cardiff residents hit back at plans for Wales' tallest building
In announcing the update to the future of Porter's, Dan Porter said: "Now then, some of you know that Porter's is faced with a bit of a problem. And that problem comes in the shape of the end of our 10-year lease, demolition and a high rise accommodation block. We’re being bulldozed. October. Yay!
"It would be easy to see this as a disappointment, or be angry about it, and to some it would perhaps feel like an insurmountable obstacle. But to us, it feels like an opportunity- an opportunity to evolve who we are, what we do and have always done, what we stand for, and what we can contribute from a new home. A lot of you have been asking about our plans, or if there have been any developments, and apologies if we’ve been a little cagey."
He went on to say: "We have found a building. Repeat: we have found a building. And the building is an exciting prospect (as long as we can get a licence for it)! The vision for Porter’s was always multifaceted and ambitious, and we want to continue to look like, sound like, and be the Porter’s we always have…but better. Much, much better."
He went on: "At Porter’s 2.0, we still want to put on gigs, and singalongs, and bandaokes, and open mics, and other such things, like we do now. We want to continue to be able to support and promote talent as you pass through on your way to bigger things, as we have since day one (and as many have).
"We want to keep our steadfast policy of free entry at all times to all of our events. We want people to continue to come and relax, or meet friends, or have a dance. We want to continue to provide everyone with a safe and respectful environment, where they can feel comfortable and themselves.
"We want to continue to put on shows in our onsite theatre, which in Porter’s 2.0 will be a bit bigger. Beyond that we want to offer out rehearsal and performance space for free, and put on even more events in a THIRD space that the new building has. We want to be open and alive night and day."
Mr Porter said that it is owners aims to be a "part of the promotion and preservation of the identity of Cardiff as a centre of culture, creativity, talent, innovation, good behaviour, and good times; to help make Cardiff a benchmark for other cities." He went on to say that they want to make Porter's "represent everything that we feel a 21st century building and business, especially in a capital city, should be."
In just over 48 hours since the fundraiser was launched, over £5,000 had been raised for the future of the bar, of the ambitious £75,000 target. In asking for donations Mr Porter said he understood it was "not the best time to ask, especially with everything that is going on and with everything that has been going on, but we are going to ask you, as we never have, to help."
The appeal went on, this is how you can help: "Think maybe in these terms- of a donation that equates to the value of one quarter, or half pint, or one whole pint of beer a week for a year, so that in a year's time you'll be making up for all of those lost pints in the new and improved Porter's (2.0), whilst listening to some great music with friends."
He said that the target is so high because the vision for the new - and currently undisclosed location - was quite expensive: "It’s going to be expensive because there are some features and systems, which we won’t talk about just yet, that we think are really important for a responsible and progressive business to have (and because we made the mistake of never charging for our events!!). Don’t worry, we’re going to stay free entry. Don’t worry, we’re going to stay Porter’s. Well, maybe worry a little bit. But, whatever happens, whichever way this goes, Thank you. Thank you for everything."
Owners have not announced when they will cease trading at Harlech, and where they are hoping to relocate to. Developers Draycott's website states the redevelopment of the site is still in the "planning" stage, and the projected value of the property once it is completed stands at £72m. You can make a donation to the new Porter's here.
