A small branch with just two elephant heads (tied with Belfast and Swansea for the fewest number of elephants), although Harry Wilson’s original design did not include them. The side entrance at 2 St. John Street was rebuilt in a modernist style in the 1950s. The building is currently being converted to serviced apartments with an additional storey extension (as of 2026).
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Additional Information
| FromYears based on documented evidence such as photographs or Google Streetview; actual dates may differ. | To | Details | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2014 | Abbey, rebranded as Santander | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | Empty | ||
| 2017 | 2026 | Starbucks | ||
| 2026 | May 2026: Starbucks closed for conversion of the building into apartments with an additional storey, and a smaller retail unit |
| Date | Organisation | Reference | Details | Details | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/07/1930 | Glamorgan Archives | BC/S/1/27419 | Architectural drawings submitted under Harry Wilson for an earlier version of the Art Deco facade without the elephant heads. May 1932 letter states works to commence after Whitsunday. | Architectural drawings submitted under Harry Wilson for an earlier version of the Art Deco facade… | Withdrawn | |
| 05/11/1955 | Glamorgan Archives | BC/S/1/46094 | Alterations to shopfront and rebuilding of narrow side building on St. John Street in modernist style. Drawings missing Queen Street shopfront details, to be submitted later. | Alterations to shopfront and rebuilding of narrow side building on St. John Street in modernist… | Completed | |
| 17/11/2025 | Cardiff Council | 25/02673/FUL | Conversion to five serviced apartments with additional storey, and new retail unit at ground level | Conversion to five serviced apartments with additional storey, and new retail unit at ground level | Approved |
