Drone images show state of troubled Cardiff hotel due to reopen soon
The Grade II listed Coal Exchange is scheduled to relaunch in March
Drone images have revealed how Cardiff Bay's troubled Coal Exchange hotel is looking ahead of next month's planned reopening. The Grade II-listed building, which dates back to 1888, was used as a market floor for coal trading when the Welsh capital was a hub of the global coal trade, and in more recent years has been run as a hotel.
In December the business that owns the freehold repossessed the site from the operating company after a row between the two firms. The hotel closed shortly afterwards and is due to reopen on March 8 under new management. South Wales fire service has recently served prohibition notices on the building as its north side was in a state of partial collapse.
The site has been marred by maintenance problems and safety concerns for some time. In February last year a burst pipe forced the hotel to close and the water build-up was so severe that part of the building had to be demolished after Cardiff Council raised concerns over its structural soundness.
Scroll down to see our photographer's drone images of the site. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.
Once used as a music venue, the historic building has been a hotel since 2017.
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The hotel was operated by a company called Coal Exchange Hotel LL. But on December 27 the freeholder Eden Grove Developments took possession of the building.
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Eden Grove says bookings from the relaunch date of March 8 onwards will be honoured, but any before then — including bedrooms, Culley's Kitchen & Bar reservations, weddings and events — are cancelled.
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Speaking about the planned relaunch, a hotel spokesperson said: "We are thrilled to announce that the majority of our senior management team will be returning to head up the operation. They will be reaching out to staff to discuss potential return to work... Their expertise and passion will undoubtedly contribute to the exceptional service and unforgettable experiences that The Coal Exchange will provide to its valued guests."
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