Here is our latest update, covering:

• Cardiff Market Restoration - uncovering and restoring the original design features
• First year of the Shared Prosperity Fund - the EU funding replacement helping hundreds of people and projects in Cardiff
• Cardiff Dogs Home Pawprints Awards - two awards from the RSPCA recognise high standards at the kennels

The restoration of Cardiff Market

Proposals for a significant restoration of Cardiff's historic Grade II* Listed Central Market, which would reveal original design features, restore the traditional entrances and original stalls, repair the roof, and make improvements to the Victorian drainage system, as well as introducing a new seating area, could see more than £6 million of investment to secure the long-term future of the building.

How Cardiff Market could look following the restoration works, including essential roof repairs.

The restoration works, which according to a recently published report, will help to "maintain the functioning of the market" and "prevent further deterioration" of the heritage building, could be funded by a combination of external grants and loans, as well as direct investment from Cardiff Council. Funding ‘in principle' has already been agreed from Welsh Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "This is about the restoration of one of our most iconic city centre buildings. There are 130 years of history under the roof of Cardiff Market, history that these proposals aim to protect, preserve and futureproof, so that the Market remains the bustling heart of the city centre for years to come."

Subject to funding being secured, the works will include:

• the restoration of the Trinity Street and St Mary Street entrances.
• the repair and restoration of the roof, original windows and external elevations.
• replacement of glazing and tiles.
• restoration of the market interior, including improvements to the historic stalls.
• removal of a 1960s ‘false floor' at the Trinity St entrance to reveal the original design.
• roof-mounted solar panels, and integrated battery storage.
• repairs to the H.Samuel market clock.
• a new 70-seat eating area on the ground floor.
• a new activity and education room.
• improvements to the original Victorian drainage system.
• the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting.

The restoration works include the removal of a false floor, added in the 1960s above the fishmongers, to reveal original design features.

The restoration and repair work was granted Listed Building Consent in August 2023 and a funding strategy to deliver the project is due to be discussed at a Cardiff Council Cabinet Meeting on Thursday, 21st September.

If funding is successfully secured, it is hoped that work on the restoration could begin in Summer 2024.

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First year of Shared Prosperity Fund sees millions shared between projects

Cardiff's share of the Government's Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) - designed to replace funding previously provided by the EU - has been spent benefiting hundreds of people and projects across the city.

The fund, part of the Government's levelling up strategy, was launched in November last year to compensate for the loss of Structural Funds in Wales.

Now, a new report to the Council's Cabinet has outlined how Cardiff's share - overseen by the Council - is being distributed.

In the period up to the end of March this year, more than £5.2m has been spent on projects including:

• More than 140 arts activities supported at Llanover Hall (pictured above)
• The refurbishment of Rhiwbina Hub
• Improvements to shelter and lighting in St Mellons Park
• 200 events supported for young people
• Supported more than 3,000 litter picks
• Set up nine community recycling zones
• Supported more than 600 people to take part in numeracy courses
• Education and training for young people across the city, with targeted support for some of the most vulnerable young people in Cardiff
• Direct support to music venues
• Supporting job club activities to help people with employment, benefits and housing, and
• Cycle way improvements in Old St Mellons and Llanishen Park
• Enhanced city centre management operations
• Providing employment, benefits and housing support directly to Cardiff residents

Ahead of the final year of the SPF programme, a further engagement event took place in June this year to help share priorities. Following that, an updated SPF programme has been proposed which will allocate £8.6m for projects including:

• An open call worth more than £5m for community projects with funding of up to £250,000
• Additional grant funding for small businesses
• Investment in community facilities and the Neighbourhood Renewal programme
• Support for grassroots music venues
• Funding to support the Cardiff Market restoration

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Cardiff Dogs Home recognised with two RSPCA Pawprints Awards

The UK's largest animal welfare charity have awarded Cardiff Dogs Home two awards in recognition of the standard of kennelling they provide, and the way they look after stray dogs.

The team at Cardiff Dogs Home have now received at least one RSPCA Pawprints Award every year since 2008. This year they successfully achieved a Gold award in the Stray Dogs category and a Silver award for Kennelling.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Dogs Home, Cllr Dan De'Ath, said: "To receive at least one Pawprints award for fifteen years in a row is a fantastic achievement.

"Each and every animal that the Dogs Home look after deserves the best standard of care possible, and these RSPCA awards show that, with the support of an army of volunteers, and in partnership with local charity The Rescue Hotel, that is exactly what they get."

Read more here