The pub formerly known as The Corporation in Canton, is due to reopen its doors after 6 years, but this time as a brand-new hub for independent traders. The newly established Corp Market will provide a home for Cardiff’s favourite indi-businesses, with a bar and coffee shop at the centre of the indoor space.
The venture, which has been developed with community and sustainability in mind, will build on the success of The Corporation Yard which has become hugely popular over the past year. The new venue will have doors that open onto the yard itself which will continue to feature a rotation of independent traders and street food vendors.
The building which dates back to 1889 will provide a permanent residence for indi-businesses in the city, including four traders who were recently forced to vacate The Castle Emporium on Womanby Street, after leaseholders of the building gave notice of licence termination and premises closure.
Corp Market will officially open its doors to the public on Friday 19th November 2021, 10am to 5pm – from Saturday the bar will be open until 11pm.Corp Market is pleased to introduce a variety of traders, including:
- ‘Wine Fiend’ by Dean Euden
- ‘Little Green Stores’ by Binki Rees
Helping people change the way they shop through refillables. - ‘The Barber Room Cardiff’ by Sofia Nigro
Female run barber shop, offering traditional and modern barber techniques for over a decade. - ‘Khione Deli’ by Gloria Arcerito
Traditional Sicilian food and drink, from home to home. - ‘Twin Made’ by Charlotte Peacock
Fun, colourful and creative textile workshops and products. - ‘Sean Kerr Jewellery’ by Sean Kerr
Crafting sparkly jewellery and bespoke hand-made cards. - ‘The Sho’ & ‘Frankincense & Purr’ – by Emily Michael
Gallery and shop selling art supplies, crystals, incense, smudge and magical goods. - ‘Heads Above The Waves’ by Hannah Morgan and Si Martin
Not-for-profit organisations promoting awareness of depression and self-harm in young people. - ‘Shelflife’ by Rosie Smith
- Not-for-profit bookshop with a focus on making space for socially conscious and marginalised voices.
Jahan Abedi, Owner of Corp Market which is part of The Chameleon Group (Mocka Lounge, The Potted Pig & Hoffi Coffi), said: “Cardiff has an extremely diverse scene of independent traders and it’s clear that our communities have re-connected with shopping local through these difficult times. Our vision for transforming The Corporation pub is one that keeps it in pride of place in the community and breathes new life into a building that has been vacant for far too long. We’re extremely excited to collaborate with Cardiff’s most loved-local businesses as well as showcasing businesses in their infancy at this exciting new venue.”
Visitors to Corp Market can expect to be welcomed into a space designed to boast a rustic and contemporary industrial feel that is warmed with suspended greenery and neon lighting, brought to life by Tim Rice. There will be seating areas throughout for people to relax and enjoy the best of local goods, food and drinks – people are also welcome to use the space for working and casual meetings during the week.
Kevin Gracias, Corp Market Partner, added: “The Corporation Yard has been a huge success, but the biggest satisfaction has come from seeing local traders, most of whom were born out of lockdown, thrive at the yard. We were delighted to purchase The Corporation pub as an investment with an open mind as to what we could do with it. The feedback from customers and traders at the yard was so strong that we then sat down and came up with the concept for Corp Market, as a community hub for Canton and the surrounding area.
“Georgina Heffernan of The Potted Pig and Tom Edwards of The North Star are the people behind our fantastic plans. Managing the project and getting the traders on board, making sure we showcase the best of Welsh indi-businesses.”
Corp Market will be open Tuesday to Saturday 10am until 5pm, the bar and coffee shop will stay open until 11pm.
