The Cardiff Drop 🏰 - Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Tourism tax in Cardiff, pothole payouts, Blackweir Live concerns, new pub garden and Cardiff restaurant expands
Good morning and welcome to The Cardiff Drop. I’m Steph and I’m back from my holidays so the normal newsletter schedule will resume. It is a bit of a bumper edition today as I fill you in on everything you need to know.
🗞News
💸 Cardiff Council have confirmed they are planning on introducing a tourism tax, but any date would depend on the outcome of a consultation with residents. - Ruth Mosalski, WalesOnline.
🔥 Cardiff man Lee Jakes has been jailed after he caused £2 million worth of damage by burning down a supported accommodation unit opposite the Principality Stadium. - Robert Dalling, WalesOnline.
🚗 Drivers are being paid record amounts in compensation by Cardiff Council as the state of the city’s roads worsens, an FOI request has revealed. - Haris Armstrong, The Cardiffian.
🎓 Anyone picketing on Cardiff University property risks being jailed following a High Court injunction obtained in response to the now-disbanded Palestine camp outside the main building. - Abbie Wightwick, WalesOnline.
🏊♀️ A demonstration is planned to take place at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay at 3pm on Wednesday, June 25 to oppose the controversial Cardiff Bay Aqua Park moving to Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, in Penarth. - Lois McCarthy, WalesOnline.
🎶 Cardiff residents have expressed their concerns during a public meeting called to discuss a series of upcoming music events happening at Blackweir Fields. The gigs, named Blackweir Live, will begin with Noah Kahan on Friday, June 27. - Branwen Jones, WalesOnline.
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💧 A new rainwater harvesting system is now supplying up to 60% of the water needed to look after the 350,000 plants that are grown in greenhouses in Bute Park each year. - Cardiff Council.
🎨 A Cardiff artist, Margaret Lindsay Williams, who has painted many members of the royal family, is being honoured with a permanent gravestone. - Richard Morgan, ITV.
🏳🌈 Meet the man, Mark Etheridge, who works at St Fagans National Museum of History, who is changing the face of Wales’ museums with LGBTQ+ exhibitions and collections. - Jonathon Hill, WalesOnline.
🏠 The Grade II listed Mansion House on Richmond Road is now on the market and its prospective sale, with these pictures, means you can see what it looks like inside. - Joanne Ridout, WalesOnline.
🏅 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board colleagues have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 and Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Brian Morgan has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, recognising his outstanding contributions to business development, entrepreneurship, and the Welsh economy. - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff Metropolitan University.
🌥Weather
🌧 It looks like there could be some rainy weather heading our way, in Cardiff. - Beth Gavaghan, WalesOnline.
🥂 What’s On
👕 The FAW have announced the Ein Crys Cymru Tour which is a giant inflatable shirt that will travel around Wales in support of the Welsh football team at the Euros. The shirt will be at Cardiff Castle from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, July 5. - ILovesTheDiff.
🍽 Cardiff restaurant Silures is expanding and opening its second site in Penarth, at Holm House. Silures will open on Wednesday, July 11 at Holm House. - ItsOnCardiff.
🍝 There is an incredible hidden Italian deli in Duke Street Arcade, which provides the perfect taste of Italy. Khione Sicilian Delicatessen opened six months ago and is run by Gloria Serena Arcerito. - Beth Gavaghan, WalesOnline.
🥂 The Coal Exchange Hotel, in Cardiff Bay, is opening up its new Terrace for summer on Wednesday, July 2. Nestled out front in a sun-soaked courtyard, it gives French terrace energy without leaving the Bay. - ItsOnCardiff.
🎢 The Cardiff Bay family fun park is back for summer 2025 from Saturday, July 19 to Monday, August 25. The Roald Dahl Plass transforms into a full-on family playground packed with rides, games, magic shows, character meet-and-greets, and all the candyfloss you can handle. The family fun park will be open from 11am to 8pm every day. - ItsOnCardiff.
🌈 Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling had a great time in Cardiff over the weekend, as she joined in with the Pride celebrations. - Beth Gavaghan, WalesOnline.
💙 Here is a first look at rehearsals of the hugely anticipated Nye, where Michael Sheen prepares to reprise his role playing one of Wales’ most influential figures. Nye will return to the Wales Millennium Centre from Friday, August 22 to Saturday, August 30. I actually went along to the incredible performance when Nye first came to Cardiff in May 2024 and you can read my review, here. - Nation Cymru and Steph Colderick, WalesOnline.
🎤 American star Whoopi Goldberg is coming to Cardiff in one of only two live UK shows. She will be at the Utilita Arena on Friday, September 5. - Fiery Entertainment.
🍽 Italian restaurant Giardini Di Sorrento is moving from City Road to Lisvane. - ILovesTheDiff.
🍺 The Dock Feeder on Churchill Way has extended its beer garden, making it the perfect spot for summer. - The Dock Feeder.
👰 Here is the lovely moment when Welsh Olympic star Lauren Price said yes to the dress at Eva Ashley Bridal Lounge, in their Castle Arcade store. - CardiffLife.
🏉 Sport
⚽ Supermarket giant, Tesco has apologised after sparking a backlash with a controversial promotional stand for the England Lionesses displayed at Tesco on Western Avenue, despite Wales also being in the Euros. - Lois McCarthy, WalesOnline.
🏏 A grandad, John Prior, who helped start Cardiff Casuals XI cricket club has retired from the sport at 86 years old. - Wales News Service and Bryana Francis, WalesOnline.
⚽ When Brian Barry-Murphy sought counsel from his father, the legendary Irish sportsman Jimmy, about the Cardiff City job, the answer he received was about as convincing as you can get: "Don't think twice about it". - Glen Williams, WalesOnline.
❤Community News
📩If you have any news, local events or community information you would like included in the newsletter, please get in touch here. It is the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
🐲Cardiff Bay is preparing for a prehistoric takeover this summer as Jurassic Bay arrives for one weekend only, promising a packed programme of dinosaur-themed fun. Jurassic Bay will take place from Saturday, July 5 to Sunday, July 6 and is free to attend. - ItsOnCardiff.
🍽 Railway Gardens in Splott have announced the return of their Community Summer Supper. Taking place on Friday, July 4 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, it is a free, family-friendly evening which is a joyful celebration of connection, culture, and community in the heart of Splott. The evening will offer a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with games and activities for all ages, a shared plant-based picnic where guests are encouraged to bring a cold vegetarian or vegan dish to share if they’re able, and plenty of opportunities to explore the gardens. - Railway Gardens.
😁 Every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm is Happy Hands at Radyr Hub on Park Road. You can come along to make, craft, create and meet other people. - Cardiff Hubs.
🏰About The Cardiff Drop
👋Hi I’m Steph! I’ve called Cardiff home for four years and fallen in love with this bustling, active, fun and gorgeous city. The Cardiff Drop aims to bring everything Cardiff, from news and sport to my personal favourite, what’s on.
❣I love exploring Cardiff, discovering all the nooks and crannies of this stunning city, and if you want to keep up and follow along please subscribe below.