A pub "left to rot" for years has finally found a partner to take it over, with hope that work to refurbish it could start in the summer. The Grade-II listed Unicorn Inn in the Pentwyn area of the city has been boarded up since it closed in 2017.
The community set up a Facebook group two years later to discuss the re-opening of the popular pub, with one resident telling WalesOnline that it had been "left to rot" and had "become an eye sore". You can read more about that here. MP for Cardiff North Anna McMorrin and Julie Morgan MS wrote to Heineken/Star Pubs and Bars about the issue after it was raised by residents.
They have been meeting with the company, who took over from Punch Taverns in 2017, and published a £800,000 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." A £1.4 million investment was approved - the biggest capital investment for Heineken/Star Pubs in 2023.
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Thought to date back to the 17th century, the pub is steeped in history and there is a 19th century listing describing it 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."
The company has already spent £150,000 on repairs to the building including the roof, plumbing, and garden. Now, the company has confirmed that a candidate to take over the pub has been found and, if planning permission is confirmed, work could start in the summer.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars says: “We have found a candidate to take on the Unicorn Inn and are currently awaiting planning permission for the proposed refurbishment. We are hopeful that we’ll be able to start work in July. We expect 20 jobs will be created when the Unicorn Inn reopens.”
In a Tweet, Anna McMorrin said: "I first met with @starpubsandbars last year to discuss the future of the Unicorn Inn. Pleased to share that they've now selected a partner to work with. I hope that a 12 week programme of works will start in July."
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