Cardiff’s iconic City Hall is to close temporarily this winter to enable essential infrastructure work to be carried out on the Grade I-listed building and preserve it for future generations.
Built of Portland Stone and opened in 1906, the building was the first council headquarters to be known as City Hall – following Cardiff’s elevation to city status in 1905 – and in recent years has been used as a register office and for wedding celebrations and other private functions. Much of the infrastructure in the historic building is now due for an upgrade, and the work over the winter will see a new heating and ventilation system installed.
During the closure, expected to last until Spring 2024, Register Office weddings will be relocated to the equally historic Insole Court, while all other register office functions will be based at the Glamorgan Archives building near to the Cardiff City Stadium.
Functions organisers will be offered alternative locations for their events, and the monthly full council meetings, which normally take place in the City Hall Chamber, will be held at County Hall. Staff based in the City Hall offices will also be temporarily relocated.
A Cardiff Council Cabinet meeting in June approved an outline business case looking at the future of the local authority’s core offices – County Hall, City Hall and Willcox House.
Speaking at the time, Cllr Russell Goodway, the Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, said: “As the owner of City Hall, Cardiff Council has a duty to invest in the fabric of the building, as well as renewing its mechanicals and electricals, such as heating and ventilation, so that it remains fit for purpose as a heritage venue of historical significance, both now and for future generations.”
