A MUCH-LOVED former Cardiff social club is set to be demolished.
Cardiff Council has decided that plans to demolish The New Fleurs Sports and Social Club in Splott can go ahead.
The former social club on Portmanmoor Place closed for good in July 2024 despite efforts over the years to bring in a new management team.
Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) has acquired the site to build social housing there.
Cardiff Council ward member for Splott, Cllr Ed Stubbs, said: “It’s disappointing that nobody wanted to run The Fleurs as a social club.
“I understand CCHA have acquired it to build social housing and there is no planning constraints to stop demolition, as an owner can by law have the right to demolish an unlisted building they own.
“I speak to residents every day who want social housing so hopefully CCHA can build something that will meet that need.
“I’ll be meeting with them to ensure that residents’ voices are heard.”
The former owners of The New Fleurs posted on social media in July 2024 that the establishment would close at the end of the month after running it for more than 20 years.
They noted that “many” events were held at the club and that a number of sports teams used it over the years.
One of these sports club, Bridgend Street AFC, said in July that it had called The New Fleurs home for the past 39 years.
In a social media post, the club wrote: “The place holds many memories and has held many of our presentations, club nights and more.
“Relationships and friendships made through football and within the Fleurs to last a lifetime too.”
They went on to thank all of the owners of the social club over that time, including the most recent owners, Phil and Debbie, adding: “They’ve always been superb hosts and have been unwavering in their support of our club in some testing times.
“They’ve not just supported and extended their hospitality to Bridgend Street AFC but to local skittles, darts and pool teams too.”
An application to demolish New Fleurs Sports and Social Club was put in last month, but Cardiff Council issued a decision on November 4 stating that no prior approval was required for demolition.
A letter written by Amity Planning Consultants on behalf of CCHA that’s attached to the demolition application states: “The property has been extensively marketed for a period of four years, yet despite these efforts, no viable interest or alternative use has been secured, demonstrating its lack of demand in the current market.”
It goes on to add: “The demolition of the building will facilitate the streamlining of Cardiff Community Housing Association’s project delivery for affordable housing, thereby reducing both associated costs and timescales for redevelopment of the site.”
