Cardiff Coal Exchange: Bride's worry after venue's shock closure
- Published
Civil servant Heidi Watts is due to be married to Royal Marine Alex McGregor in August
A bride-to-be who has spent more than £4,000 on her wedding at Cardiff's Coal Exchange Hotel has expressed concern after the venue's shock closure.
On Wednesday, the firm that runs the property announced it was no longer in a "relationship" with current owners, Eden Grove Developments.
Civil servant Heidi Watts, from Caerphilly, has paid £4,250 to the venue.
The mum-of-one is due to marry Royal Marine Alex McGregor on 17 August.
She has been trying to find out whether they will need to change the venue, or whether it could yet reopen.
She said: "I have been scoping out other venues but we cannot change the date because Alex is in the armed forces, and his leave is set. We have a honeymoon straight after as well."
Ms Watts said guests were travelling from France and the UK and 36 rooms had been booked at the property in Mount Stuart Square.
Cardiff Coal Exchange Hotel announced it was closing on Wednesday
"It's the not knowing what to do at the moment," Ms Watts said.
"I have scoped out a couple of venues to see what is out there."
The wedding has been paid for on a credit card, but Ms Watts said she was unsure how she would go about claiming money back if she needed to.
She said the situation was "not great at all", adding: "It's a very uncertain time at the moment."
A fresh bid to relaunch the hotel was made in October 2020 after a £40m revamp of the site, often said to be where the world price of coal was once set.
It initially reopened as the Exchange Hotel in 2017.
That ended when the building's owners, Signature Living Coal Exchange, went into administration in May 2020.
Former Cardiff councillor and businessman Ashley Govier is listed as director of the firm that owns the hotel
Former Cardiff Councillor Ashley Govier is listed as director of Eden Grove Developments.
A spokesman for the operators, Coal Exchange Operations LLP, said: "It is with considerable regret that we have reached this point. This is something that could have been avoided.
"We have worked tirelessly to reach an agreement with freeholder Eden Grove Developments Limited who took possession of the hotel on 27 December, 2023.
"But it has become apparent over the last two weeks they were not willing to work with us to secure the future of the business."
The spokesman said its concern was now for affected staff and customers.
Eden Grove Developments had imposed restrictions that had resulted in "a huge drop in revenue", the spokesman claimed, adding: "This has made it impossible to operate the hotel as a viable concern."
He said repeated requests to make up for a shortfall in funds had been requested, but were not forthcoming.
The spokesman added: "Eden Grove Developments have made it clear no funds will be made available. It is hugely frustrating."
In a statement, Eden Grove Developments said: "Based on the information we have obtained over the last two weeks, the decision by the hotel operator has not surprised us.
"However, we find ourselves confused by the statement released by the operator last week assuring customers that future bookings were secure.
"We are now supporting staff and guests as we try to establish who the administrators are so we can begin active discussions to minimise disruption."
Cardiff Civic Society has been calling for a plan to restore the Coal Exchange, which it called "one of the most significant buildings in Wales".
The trading floor of the Coal Exchange was bustling at its peak
It criticised Cardiff council and the Welsh government, claiming they had taken no action to ensure it was properly maintained.
Chairwoman Nerys Lloyd-Pierce said: "The northern part of the building is in a truly dreadful state. What will it take for those in power to act?
"Their inertia beggars belief. In any other city, the Coal Exchange would be a showpiece. Here in Cardiff, it's allowed to rot."
The Welsh government said: "Owners and occupiers of historic buildings have an important part to play in preserving our shared heritage and the Welsh government, through Cadw, has published bespoke guidance to assist owners and local authorities with the protection of listed buildings."
Cardiff council has been asked to comment.
The Coal Exchange - a short history
Dates to 1883 when Cardiff was at the centre of the coal trade
Coal merchants, ship owners and their agents met daily on the trading floor
At one time the price of the world's coal was determined there and in 1904 the world's first recorded £1m deal was struck there
Closed in 1958 after the decline of the coal industry in Cardiff
Earmarked as a future home for the Welsh Assembly but that plan fell through after devolution was rejected in a 1979 referendum
In more recent years it has been used for concerts, dinners and other events
There were once plans for the exchange hall to be restored and a 1,300-seat banqueting hall, public square, office space and innovation centre to be developed
Related topics
- Published20 May 2017
- Published12 May 2020
- Published23 January 2020
- Published7 August 2020
