Cardiff House of Fraser could become boutique hotel
The landlord of Cardiff's House of Fraser store has said the site could be transformed into a boutique hotel.
The department store chain has flagged the 270,000 sq ft site for closure as part of a rescue deal which, if approved, could see 31 shops close in early 2019.
Azeema Zaheer is chief executive of Naissance Capital Real Estate, the private landlord which owns the Grade II-listed building
She told BBC Radio Wales: "That site is perfect for a nice boutique hotel to come in. We've already started early stage conversations with three hotel groups that are very interested."
The retailer needs the approval of 75% of its creditors to go ahead with the rescue plan. Creditors will vote on the plan, which involves company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), on 22 June.
The store, known locally as ‘Howells', was established by James Howell in 1856. It was acquired by the House of Fraser group in 1972 and re-branded as House of Fraser in 2010, although retains some of its old signage due to its listed status.
Tommy Heaney to take over Arbennig Cardiff site >>
