Protect Porter's

Cardiff Council Planning Committee Chair and Vice Chair

Grassroots music venues are an integral part of the city of Cardiff. They are a vital lifeline for local musicians as well as providing a space for Cardiffians and visitors to experience the culture the city has to offer.

Since 2017, seven grassroots music venues have been closed in Cardiff. These were: Four Bars, Buffalo, Transport Club, Gwdihw, Undertone, The Big Top, and 10 Feet Tall. These were all much loved by the community and have left a cultural gap in their absence.

Welsh-language bands have frequently got their break in local venues and further closure of these spaces will likely have a detrimental impact on the sustainability of Welsh-language music.

With the proposed development by the Draycott Group to build Wales’ tallest building, consisting of a 350 apartments in 35-storey tower, Porter’s  bar, music and theatre venue at Harlech Court is now under threat. Porters currently own the lease at Harlech Court until 2022.

Venues like Porters play a crucial role in making Cardiff a livable city and will be a much valued space for people to gather after the pandemic. We should not be building our city to be less livable. It’s important we nurture these spaces, and do not leave the future generations of Cardiff a city without music.

Sign the petition to:
  • Demand reform of the planning system to address the concerns outlined above and prevent further loss to Cardiff’s cultural sector and grassroots music scene.
  • Demand the creation of a Night-time Economy post responsible for protecting, maintaining and encouraging more venues to thrive in the city.
  • Demand better protections for community music and arts venues in Cardiff.




To: Cardiff Council Planning Committee Chair and Vice Chair
From: [Your Name]

Cardiff has seen the loss of seven grassroots music venues since 2017. These were: Four Bars, Buffalo, Transport Club, Gwdihw, Undertone, The Big Top, and 10 Feet Tall. These were all much loved by the community and have left a cultural gap in their absence.

Porter’s is a much loved venue by lots of Cardiffians and a fantastic venue for visitors to the city. As we emerge from the COVID19 pandemic, it will be more important than ever that local community spaces like this are valued as a place for people to meet and enjoy culture.

This is why we want the venue protected, and better protection for all of Cardiff’s live music venues.

We, the undersigned, ask you to

Reform the planning system to prevent further loss to Cardiff’s cultural sector and grassroots music scene.

Create a Night-time Economy post responsible for protecting, maintaining and encouraging more venues to thrive in the city.

Ensure better protections for community music and arts venues in Cardiff.

Kind regards,