Thousands sign petition to save popular Cardiff music venue Gwdihŵ from closure
Thousands of people have signed a petition to keep a popular music venue open after it was announced the landlords have decided not to renew a lease on a number of properties in the centre of Cardiff.
The owners of Gwdihŵ bar announced "with a heavy heart" it is to close in the New Year on Wednesday.
Within hours of the announcement, a change.org petition was launched and has gained more than 8,000 signatures.
The venue opened in 2008 and describes itself as a "flourishing, friendly and relaxed independent space for alternative music on the edge of the city centre in Cardiff."
The bar is situated on Guildford Crescent where there are a number of distinct curved and bright-coloured buildings. Restaurants Thai House and Madeira have also been told they must leave their premises by the end of January.
In June, Cardiff Council proposed plans to make the site a conservation area.
It has since emerged the landlords want to demolish the buildings entirely "in preparation for redevelopment".
Since appearing on the council website, the planning application has had more than 200 public objections.
Cardiff Central Labour MP Jo Stevens has called for the landmark to be conserved. The council told ITV News it does not have any powers to stop the decision to end the leases but it will "do everything we can to help venues like Gwdihw... to survive."
Last year, nearby Womanby Street in the city centre, which is home to a number of music venues, was under threat following plans to build new flats in the street.
The landlords have been approached for comment.