Cardiff venue Gwdihŵ to close in January

Announcing the closure in a statement on socials, the cosy Cardiff venue writes, "Our landlords have taken the decision to not renew our lease - despite, or perhaps because of the Cardiff Council proposal to grant the crescent protected conservation area status - and so on 30th January we have to leave."

They add, "However, this isn't the end for us. We're looking to carry the Gwdihŵ name into 2019 so we urge anyone who might be able to offer a space or contribute in any way to get in touch."

Gwdihŵ has been a staple in Cardiff's live music scene, having hosted hundreds of acts throughout the years, including Catfish and the Bottlemen (2012), Gruff Rhys, and Welsh Music Prize winners Boy Azooga.

The announcement has been met with strong resilience from locals, who have started a petition for the council to reconsider their decision. The petition states, "For over a decade, Gwdihŵ has been the colourful cornerstone of our Cardiff music scene where those have come to fall in love with their next favourite band and possibly at times - each other."

The petition expands further, "We cannot stress to you how vital it is that we act NOW and urge the landlord of Guildford Crescent to recognise and understand the cultural and artistic significance of these spaces over any other monetary gain to be had in other business ventures. We ask the landlord, to grant these existing businesses new leases and avoid the loss of 70+ jobs."