Cardiff’s long-running music venue Club Ifor Bach has submitted a planning application for a redevelopment project that will expand and upgrade the existing site.
The grassroots music venue, currently in its 40th year of operation, is on Womanby Street in the Welsh capital.
The plans would see it take over the neighbouring derelict building, expanding and transforming the space into a fully-accessible multi-room venue.
Club Ifor Bach has 18 months to raise the funds needed to implement the plans, which would enable it to stage larger-scale performances and events in the new 500-capacity space. The larger venue would also house a 200-capacity room to ensure continued support for emerging musicians.
The venue registered as a charity in 2019 and these plans aim to help it meet its charitable objectives, supporting creatives including aspiring technicians, promoters, performers and photographers, as well as furthering community development.
“It’s been a long time since we released the concept designs for the redevelopment in early 2019 and finally being able to submit the planning application feels like a big step forward,” said Clwb Ifor Bach Chief Executive Guto Brychan.
“We’d like to extend our gratitude to Cardiff Council for their help in securing the premises next door, which was a key factor in progressing the plans,” he added.
“There is still a long road ahead especially in terms of securing sufficient funding, but we’re confident that our plans to improve Clwb Ifor Bach for the artists and audiences of the future will be a cornerstone of the city’s live music infrastructure for years to come. ”