The proprietor of an iconic Cardiff venue says she is heartbroken after being forced to close it down, saying: “It is impossible to run a small business in that area.” The Casablanca Club has closed only a yr after it reopened its doorways.
Leigh-Ann Regan, the proprietor of the revived Casablanca, who grew up in Butetown and Grangetown, stated: “The rates, pavement licence, insurance, music licence – it is just impossible. We had hardly any mark-up. It was heartbreaking to spend so much money making it welcoming to everyone, both local and further afield. In the end we were just busy fools.”
The Casablanca Club was an iconic half of Tiger Bay. From 1965, the constructing was a central house for folks from all walks of life to collect and share their love of music, drawing well-known artists from everywhere in the world.
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Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Ruffin, Spandau Ballet and Shirley Bassey all carried out on the venue in its earlier guise, which continued to maintain a particular place within the hearts of the closely-knit neighborhood round it even after it was ultimately demolished. Originally the Bethel Chapel, the membership operated till the early 1990s till it was knocked down in 1996 – however has remained alive within the reminiscences of those that spent their evenings ingesting and dancing the evening away there. A particular manufacturing was even held just a few years in the past in celebration of the venue, as DJ Keith Murrell defined its significance: “The Casablanca Club was completely central to my very own musical training – and pivotal within the musical historical past of Cardiff, even Wales. But, greater than this, the interactions, friendships and affinities have had a profound and lasting influence on many who bear in mind the Casablanca with affection and delight.”
Leigh-Ann Regan, born and bred in Cardiff, opened the brand new Casablanca Club and Cafe on the positioning of the outdated iconic constructing on the finish of 2022 with the intention of bringing locals, actors, producers, and administrators collectively to share concepts and dialog, and serving tapas and cocktails. It was supposed as a spot for artists and inventive folks to meet and collaborate in Butetown, within the spirit of the previous iconic venue.
Leigh-Ann, who additionally runs the Regan Management expertise company in Cardiff, which represents expertise in TV, movie, theatre, musical theatre and commercials, told The Cardiffian: “We booked unknown talent to be seen by agents and studios, we held local councillor meetings, PACT meetings and meetings for TV and film production companies, women in film and TV events, monthly lesbian events, speed dating, quiz nights. We did everything.”
Millie Rose, a singer and musical theatre performer from Cardiff who carried out repeatedly on the revived Casablanca, stated: “I am absolutely gutted the Casablanca has closed. It was a venue I always looked forward to performing at because I felt everyone there genuinely wanted to listen to the music.”
Leigh-Ann stated upcoming adjustments to enterprise charges and enterprise charges reduction in Wales influenced her determination to close the venue. The charges are set to rise by 6.7% on April 1, whereas in England this rise won’t happen. Hospitality companies in Wales have struggled in 2024, with a raft in Cardiff alone closing within the first months of the yr — you may see all of them right here.
Wales has misplaced over 1,000, or 17% of its licensed hospitality venues for the reason that begin of the pandemic, in contrast to a 14% drop in England and 13% in Scotland, in accordance to knowledge from CGA by NIQ and ALIX Partners Hospitality Market Monitor. UK Hospitality Cymru is worried that the brand new charges and cuts to enterprise fee reduction in April might see additional closures additional diminish Wales’ hospitality sector.
“The closures we are seeing are deeply worrying,” stated David Chapman, government director of UK Hospitality Cymru. “The stark numbers replicate the extent to which Welsh hospitality companies have suffered for the reason that begin of the pandemic. They will probably be regarding for our venues and the hundreds of livelihoods they help throughout Wales.
“The Welsh Government’s decision to reduce business rates relief will simply widen the gap between Welsh and English businesses, worsening the situation for businesses. Our local communities face losing vital social centres and crucial jobs. The cutting of relief exposes the unjust, archaic business rates system which sees our bricks and mortar businesses pay way above what should be considered a fair share. We need immediate, increased business rates support, followed by fast-track reform, or more closures are inevitable.”
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