A GWENT brewery is set to open a new bar in Cardiff's Womanby Street.

Traders at the Castle Emporium recently received a letter from their landlord saying they would have to leave the site in a month.

Now the building looks likely to turn into a taproom for independent brewer Mad Dog Brewery, based in Penperlleni near Pontypool.

Cardiff council received an application from the brewery on Friday, October 1, for a premises licence to sell alcohol at the venue.

The Castle Emporium is currently home to several small independent businesses, such as radical bookshop Shelflife, Cardiff Skateboard Club skate shop, and plant shop Tropigaz. Traders previously said they were devastated by the news they would have to leave.

Mad Dog Brewing Co, founded in 2014, faced closure at the start of last year and entered administration. Then the business, under new name Mad Dog Brewery Co, was bought in May this year by a father-and-son team who have since been looking to expand.

Tim Waters, chief executive of Mad Dog Brewery, said: “Mad Dog Brewery Co was acquired by the Waters family in May of this year, and has since been looking for suitable premises to expand the current brewery to include a taproom.

“The family business brews high quality craft ales and will add a food offering within the taproom to complement these beers as well as special events and brewery tours. Our plan is to offer a family environment with no late night drinking license.

“If approved, the license will safeguard five jobs and create a further 10 new roles within the premises.”

People wishing to comment on the licensing application should contact the council before October 29, by writing to licensing@cardiff.gov.uk. It is likely the application will then be decided by the council’s licensing sub-committee a few weeks after the consultation ends.

Traders at the Castle Emporium were told they must leave by October 29. Concerns were raised in June this year when the council received a planning application to change the site from shops to a bar or restaurant. Businesses there are now seeking alternative premises.

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