RCT Council has announced that Loungers will open its new café bar at the Llys Cadwyn development in Pontypridd later this month – bringing the popular ‘Lounge’ brand to Rhondda Cynon Taf for the first time.
Building work is currently ongoing within the remaining unit at 3 Llys Cadwyn, ready for the grand opening of Gatto Lounge on August 25. Loungers has more than 120 neighbourhood café bars across the UK – combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture. It committed to Pontypridd during December 2020, and is almost ready to welcome its first customers.
Gatto Lounge in Pontypridd will become the latest popular ‘Lounge’ bar in South Wales – joining Fino Lounge in Whitchurch, Ocho Lounge in Penarth, Juno Lounge in Roath and Corvo Lounge in Bridgend, to name a few.
It will serve a wide variety of food and drinks, serving its very own gluten-free and vegan menus – and will also be a dog-friendly venue in the community.
The £38m Llys Cadwyn development was officially completed in autumn 2020, and has been delivered by the Council thanks to a significant £10m investment from the European Regional Development Fund, through Welsh Government’s Building for the Future Programme.
Number 1 Llys Cadwyn (near Bridge Street) includes a customer contact point, library and fitness centre, while 2 Llys Cadwyn (centre building) includes Grade A office floorspace and a food/drink unit. Areas around the buildings are open to the public, including a riverwalk and new footbridge into the park.
Gatto Lounge joins Bradleys Coffee and Transport for Wales as tenants of 3 Llys Cadwyn, bringing all of the units in the building into use for the first time.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “It’s fantastic news that Gatto Lounge will be welcoming customers in Pontypridd from August 25 – becoming the latest brand to open at the flagship Llys Cadwyn development. I’m sure it will soon become a favourite place to visit by local residents and visitors to the town centre, and will quickly integrate itself into the community.
“Llys Cadwyn has transformed the derelict former Taff Vale site into a modern development creating local jobs, increasing footfall for town centre businesses and facilitating pedestrian access into Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. The development is integral to the regeneration of Pontypridd, alongside exciting projects such as the redevelopment of the Muni Arts Centre and Pontypridd YMCA, as well as plans to bring the former Bingo Hall site back into use.
“The commitment of the ‘Lounge’ brand to Pontypridd reflects the Council’s ambition through Llys Cadwyn, as it now joins Bradleys Coffee and Transport for Wales in completing the occupation of 3 Llys Cadwyn. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Gatto Lounge, and wish it every success with its opening.”
