A deal has been completed which will see the former Harry Ramsden’s restaurant in Cardiff transformed into a JD Wetherspoon.
The deal will see the creation of some 40 new jobs and an investment of £1.3m in the pub and restaurant scheme by JD Wetherspoon. The new premises is due to be operating by the middle of next year.
The national fish and chip franchise has surrendered the lease on its former Cardiff Bay restaurant. A JD Wetherspoon pub will now open in its place at Landsea House in Stuart Place.
JD Wetherspoon already has a number of pubs in Cardiff which includes The Gatekeeper at Westgate Street, The Crockerton at Greyfriars Road, The Prince of Wales at St Mary Street and The Central Bar, Windsor Place.
Andrew Gibson of DTZ , Cardiff, brought the opportunity to Haydn Thomas, of Hutchings & Thomas, who act for JD Wetherspoon in South Wales. Mr Thomas confirmed that the former fish and chip restaurant, adjacent to the iconic Pilotage Building, was a perfect site for the national pub chain.
Mr Thomas, who helped broker the deal which is one of the largest of its type in Cardiff for a number of years, said: “This is an superb site for JD Wetherspoon as it is in a unique location in vibrant and busy Cardiff Bay but it’s not lost in the melee of restaurants and pubs in the Mermaid Quay development.
“I knew as soon as I saw this distinctive water front property that it would be prefect for JD Wetherspoon. It is just the right, quirky and unusual building, in a prominent and accessible location, which appeals to this very successful operator.”
JD Wetherspoon has signed a thirty year lease, with a 20 year break, on the 12,000 sq ft two storey property, with a one year rent free period spread over the first five years of the term.
A spokesman for JD Wetherpsoon said: “We have been seeking suitable premises in Cardiff Bay for some time and we feel that this building will give JD Wetherspoon an excellent prominence in the bay. We feel this is a great acquisition for the company and shows our on-going confidence in Cardiff and south Wales generally.”
Andrew Gibson, Associate Director at DTZ, Cardiff, who acted on behalf of the Landlord said: “The surrender and letting of Landsea House provides a regeneration opportunity for one of the first Cardiff Bay leisure lead developments.
“Harry Ramsdens were one of the first national multiples to commit to the Cardiff Bay location, taking occupation of the building prior to the success of the more recent Mermaid Quay scheme.
“The new letting to JD Wetherspoon will see this landmark bought back to life and its future secured for years to come. Despite the completion of the deal taking significant time and effort from all parties involved, the end result is a positive outcome during a tough economic climate.”
JD Wetherspoon, which is a major UK employer with 840 pubs in the UK employing some 26,000 people, has come to an arrangement to take on staff laid off from the former Harry Ramsden operation.