A well-loved Cardiff pub is set for a new lease of life as Croeso Pubs Ltd confirms it has taken over The Cricketers in Pontcanna, with a major refurbishment already underway.
The Cardiff-based hospitality group, known for saving and transforming iconic venues across the city, will reopen the venue in the coming weeks following a £250,000 investment.
Croeso Pubs Ltd already runs eight well-known venues across the capital, including The Philharmonic, Brewhouse, Retro and Blue Bell. The Cricketers becomes the ninth venue in its growing portfolio, which also includes The Dock in Mermaid Quay, The Discovery in Lakeside, and The Bear’s Head in Penarth.
Croeso Pubs Area Director Michael Haygarth said:
“We are thrilled to be adding The Cricketers to our ever-increasing list of venues. It is a pub that is synonymous with the west of Cardiff and attracts tourists, walkers and locals alike and so we want to offer something for everyone.
“It is a great location in a stunning Edwardian townhouse just a stone’s throw away from Llandaff Fields and Sophia Gardens and we can’t wait to welcome clients, old and new, to try out our special Croeso atmosphere when they visit.”
As well as giving the historic venue a facelift, the team will introduce live Sky and TNT sports coverage, a wider range of draught beers and traditional Welsh cask ales. The new food menu, led by Executive Chef Jamie Newman, promises a fresh take on local pub favourites.
“This pub is well known for its hearty meals and its warm welcome and we plan to build on that with our new menu,” said Newman.
“At Croeso Pubs, we celebrate all things Welsh with our produce and dishes, and so have been working hard with our suppliers such as the Rib & Oyster from Kilgetty and Sullivan’s green grocers in Cardiff, to create dishes that reflect the venue and appeal to our customers at a reasonable price.”
Croeso Pubs will retain 12 existing staff members and will be recruiting additional team members ahead of the relaunch.