An empty Grade II listed pub that has been closed for five years has been earmarked for £1.3million of investment. The Unicorn Inn closed in 2017 after Star Pubs and Bars took over the site in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff and the pub has stood empty ever since.
One local resident said that the pub had become and "eye-sore" and claimed that brides and grooms-to-be visiting the neighbouring St Edeyrn's Church as a potential wedding venue were being 'put off' by the state of the pub. You can read more about that here. After acquiring the building from Punch Taverns in 2017, Star Pubs and Bars published an investment plan to "transform The Unicorn into a standout country-style pub with a modern finish, becoming Star Pubs & Bar’s flagship venue in Wales."
The planned refurbishment amounted to £800,000, however, work has yet to be carried out at the site, which has been boarded up with metal fencing placed around the area. In 2019, residents set up their own Facebook community group to discuss the re-opening of The Unicorn, with MP for Cardiff North, Anna McMorrin, becoming involved in the project to re-open the pub.
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Ms McMorrin has been working with the local community to raise their concerns with Star Pubs and has arranged a street surgery previously told WalesOnline: "I've been working with the local community to raise their concerns directly with Star Pubs, arranging a street surgery in the area to speak to all residents.
She previously told WalesOnline: "It's there at the heart of the community, and it's a very, very active community that works well together. This is a real eye-sore, but it could be a real enhanced community asset, that brings jobs, that brings the community together. We know now more than ever the benefit of having pubs that bring people together. This Unicorn pub has been left to rot for far too long and the local community has had enough."
A meeting between Star Pubs and Bars, community representatives and Ms McMorrin was held on Monday, October 10. Following the meeting, Star Pubs and Bars has committed to investing a "significant sum" in refurbishing the pub.
“The state of the Unicorn Inn has been a source of great concern for the local community for far too long," Ms McMorrin said. “It is heartening to hear that after pushing them, Heineken and Star Pubs and Bars are now committed to taking action, with plans to invest £1.3m - their biggest investment next year. I look forward to continuing working with Julie Morgan MS, the brewery, local councillors and residents to see this pub in the heart of our community finally restored.” This £1.3m investment must go to the board to be considered.
External remedial works to improved the outside of the building have also started, with the company replacing the roof of the building as part of the work. The historic building is thought to date bate to the 17th century and, in a 19th century listing of the inn, it is described as a comfortable old thatched house, with an inn-kitchen of the picturesque sort, open chimney, oak settle and flitches of bacon under the beams; and a native Welsh-speaking landlady."
Star Pubs and Bars has also committed to changing their business model to a managed partner scheme and will work with the community to find the right person to take over the pub as a landlord. As part of the ongoing campaign, the company has committed to maintaining a regular dialogue with Ms McMorrin and local residents through monthly Zoom calls to update on progress and have agreed to attend a street surgery in the area with Ms McMorrin and MS Julie Morgan.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars said: "We are committed to investing a significant sum in The Unicorn Inn, Cardiff subject to board approval before the end of the year. We have agreed to keep all interested parties informed on a monthly basis. In the meantime, we are ensuring the site is maintained and secure ahead of its future refurbishment."
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