By James Roberts
Last week, student favourite The Northstar announced that it will close permanently from 1 January, as rising costs have made the business unfeasible.
Owner Tom Edwards told Gair Rhydd: “It’s been absolutely heartbreaking, thinking of all the hours we’ve put in, all of our efforts the pub has been our life these last five years.” He added that “telling the staff was the hardest part, knowing it was closing, especially at this time of year. At the same time, I know that we cannot afford to go into a new year. We’re not the only ones who have been suffering, with other venues in the area closing too.”
Re-opened in 2020, the pub has been on the site since 1888 and holds a special place in the memories of many current and former students, especially those who lived in Talybont Halls. The North Road pub has long been an important part of the community, and its closure will come as a great loss to many residents.
Edwards noted that The Northstar is the last non-brewery-owned pub in the area, with all others owned by conglomerates and breweries. Its closure is part of a wider national trend of pub closures amid pressures from high maintenance and stock costs, and a shrinking hospitality sector. Nonetheless, the closure of a pub in Cardiff’s student area may prove a particularly strong indication of the challenges facing pubs as we enter the new year. The Northstar described their closure as “unavoidable in the current economic climate.”
Edwards said: “The outpouring of love for the venue on social media has been a comfort, but the one word I can use is ‘gutted’ to describe how I’m feeling.” He added: “We’ve got so many wonderful memories to take with us from the staff who have come and gone, the parties, the gigs and all the people we’ve met along the way.” The future of the site remains in question, and Gair Rhydd is not aware of any plans to re-open the venue in the future.