The Corporation

The Corporation, commonly known as The Corp, is a landmark building on the corner of Cowbridge Road East and Llandaff Road in Canton, Cardiff, Wales. It was built in 1889 on land belonging to Cardiff Corporation, which gave the pub its name. The building is a generous two-storey structure faced with dark grey rockfaced pennant sandstone rubble, with a four-storey tower above the main entrance. In 2001 it received a Grade II heritage listing, described as a "bold and unaltered piece of late 19th-century street architecture" and noted for its proximity to Canton Library. For much of its life The Corporation operated as a public house. The freehold was owned by Cardiff Council, and the pub was leased to the pub company Greene King until March 2016, when Greene King decided not to renew its tenancy. The leasehold was then advertised on behalf of the Council, with the alcohol licence still valid for continued use as a pub. After reopening briefly, the pub closed again and was sold at auction in November 2018 for £810,000. The new owner planned to rebrand and reopen it in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in August 2020, the car park at the rear of The Corporation reopened as an outdoor pop-up street food venue called The Corporation Yard. In early 2021 it was announced that the venue would reopen later that year as an extension of the Corporation Yard, with an indoor market space and cafe bar. The design, by Cardiff-based designer Tim Rice, divided the interior into 24 units with tables and chairs spread throughout. The building was repurposed and opened in November 2021 as "Corp Market", a location for independent retailers, a bar and a coffee shop. Today it functions as a retail and hospitality destination rather than a traditional pub, while retaining its historic name and architectural character.

The Corporation was built in 1889 on land owned by Cardiff Corporation, from which it took its name. It stands on a prominent corner of what was historically known as Canton Cross, the site of Canton Market, at the junction of Cowbridge Road East and Llandaff Road in the Canton suburb of Cardiff, Wales. The building is a two-storey structure faced with dark grey rockfaced pennant sandstone rubble, featuring a four-storey tower above the main entrance. In 2001 it received a Grade II heritage listing, recognised as a "bold and unaltered piece of late 19th-century street architecture" and noted for its close proximity to Canton Library. For over a century The Corporation served as a public house. The freehold was owned by Cardiff Council, and the pub was leased to the pub company Greene King until March 2016, when Greene King decided not to renew its tenancy. The leasehold was subsequently advertised on behalf of the Council, with the alcohol licence still valid for continued use as a pub. After reopening for a short period, the pub closed again and was sold at auction in November 2018 for £810,000. The new owner had plans to rebrand and reopen it in 2019. In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the car park at the rear of The Corporation reopened as an outdoor pop-up street food venue known as The Corporation Yard. In early 2021 it was announced that the venue would reopen later that year as an extension of the Corporation Yard, incorporating an indoor market space and cafe bar. The design, by Cardiff-based designer Tim Rice, divided the interior into 24 units with tables and chairs spread throughout. The building was repurposed and opened in November 2021 as "Corp Market", a location for independent retailers, a bar and a coffee shop. This marked a transition from its long history as a pub to a multi-use retail and hospitality destination, while preserving the historic name and architectural character of the Grade II listed building.

• 2021

  Repurposed and opened in November as "Corp Market" for independent retailers, a bar and coffee shop.

• 2020

  Car park reopened as The Corporation Yard outdoor street food venue in August.

• 2018

  Sold at auction in November for £810,000.

• 2016

  Greene King decided not to renew its tenancy; pub closed as a pub.

• 2001

  Received Grade II heritage listing.

• 1889

  The Corporation built on Cardiff Corporation land in Canton, Cardiff.

A heritage-listed building repurposed as a community hub for independent businesses, blending retail, food and drink in Canton, Cardiff.

• Corp Market

  Indoor market space for independent retailers, with a bar and coffee shop.

• The Corporation Yard

  Outdoor pop-up street food venue in the rear car park.

1. 1The Corporation, Cardiff - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Corporation - Wikidatawikidata.org