Vulcan Under Threat Again

With last orders due to be shouted for potentially the last time on the 31st of May media exposure is high once more for The Vulcan.

The BBC bringing everyone up to speed with the current situation managed to get a quote from Brain's marketing director Richard Davies who said that the pub was "no longer commercially viable".

Read the full BBC article here

The Vulcan set to close

Martin Shipton provides coverage on why Brains have decided to not renew their lease.

Lib Dem MP Jenny Willott and Labour AM Jenny Rathbone have both offered support in preservation of the Vulcan. As well as political support, several celebrities including 'Dirty Sanchez' star Matthew Pritchard are asked their opinion.

Willott said "I was very involved in the campaign the first time around and I’ll do everything I can again. The Vulcan Hotel is hugely important to Cardiff and it would be a great loss to the community if it closes".

Read the full article here

What's your perfect pub?

James Dean Bradfield with 'pub dog' Scooby
Photograph: Gareth Phillips

Featured in a Guardian article that searches for the perfect pub, James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers nominated The Vulcan.

"It's a perfect example of an old-fashioned Welsh pub, beautifully basic. These places have to be preserved for future generations, they're a reflection of the times they've survived though".

Read the full article here

Save The Vulcan campaign set to resume

Tying in with measures to once again begin campaigning to protect the future of The Vulcan, Media Wales provided coverage along with an assessment of activities to date.

"Their efforts have included campaigning for the support of Cardiff council, the Welsh Assembly Government, Adamsdown councillors John Dixon and Nigel Howells and even Leonard Nimoy".

Read the full article here

Listing for the Vulcan is ruled out

The heritage minister, Alun Ffred Jones, has ruled out listing the Vulcan.

He wrote: “In the case of the Vulcan pub, although there is this historic interest, particularly in the association with the former Newtown area of Cardiff, the linkage is more local in nature and not of natural significance.”

“I support the concept of recognising buildings which have a local importance, such as the Vulcan, and the development by local authorities of local lists if they so wish.”

Read the full article at Your Cardiff here.

The Vulcan in Buzz Magazine

A big thanks to Buzz Magazine for giving us a
write up and a nice picture in this month's magazine.

(We pinched the picture from Facebook and I am not sure who took it - if it was you get in touch and we will make sure we give you a big plug!)

A message from the new landlord and lady of the Vulcan

Message from new Vulcan landlord and landlady Gwyn and Sandra:
 
When David asked me to write a few words, I was at a loss as to where to start,then I remembered what my father said, always start at the beginning.
 
So the beginning for my wife Sandra and I will be June 1st when we move into the Vulcan. We are Cardiffians, Sandra born and bred, born in Splott and lived last in Fairwater. I was born in Merthyr, moved to Cardiff at 18 and became a naturalised Cardiffian after living there for 33 years. We moved to Tredegar in 2007 to take on The Railway Tavern and we have enjoyed 3 years of success and met some wonderful people and made some good friends.
 
Now we face a new adventure, taking on such a prestigious pub as The Vulcan. We know that there has been a strong campaign for the pub to remain open and we hope that this will continue as we would love to be there for longer than the proposed 2 years.
 
We are both aware of the high regard that Liz is held in, we understand she has been a symbol of the Vulcan for many years and feel we have a huge job to fill her boots, we also are aware of the deep affection that is felt for Liz and hope that we will be able to eventually gain the respect of the people who frequent the pub, obviously we know that respect has to be earned and we will do our best to maintain the character and the ambience of the pub.
 
There is so much more to say but I am aware that I need to keep this short, Sandra and I look forward to meeting all involved in the campaign and the regulars drinking in the pub, we will be open at noon on Wednesday June 2nd and look forward to seeing everyone in due time.
 
Sandra and Gwyn Lewis.

Save the Vulcan @ CDFBlogs

Last night saw some of the Save the Vulcan team attend the second Cardiff Blogger event where Rachel had been asked by Ed Walker from Wales Online's YourCardiff to give a guest talk on the Save the Vulcan blog.

She did a fantastic job - see for yourself thanks to YourCardiff:



It was a great event: really good to put faces to names and hopefully demonstrate that blogging (and social networking in general) can and does make a difference.

You can read the write up on YourCardiff here.

And on the Guardian Cardiff Blog here.

A big thanks needs to go to Ed from YourCardiff and Hannah from the Guardian Cardiff Blog for inviting us along and to Rachel for doing such a great job! Also a big thanks to everyone who came over to say hello and all of your new followers on Twitter!

New Faces at the Vulcan!

Great news! Brains has now confirmed that the tenancy of the Vulcan will be taken over Gwyn and Sandra Lewis from June 2. The couple currently run the Railway Tavern in Tredegar.

Today's article at WalesOnline has more details.

This is fantastic news for all Vulcaneers, not least because Gwyn says he fully intends to keep the Vulcan going even after its current lease runs out!

SAVE THE VULCAN DEMONSTRATION CALLED OFF

The Save the Vulcan campaign has called off the demonstration planned for 15 May 2010

Brains have announced that they’re “absolutely confident that the pub will remain open when Liz Smart, who has done a fantastic job, moves on”.

Save the Vulcan campaigners had planned the demonstration amid fears the Victorian watering hole would close following the departure of landlady Liz Smart at the end of May 2010.

Save the Vulcan campaigner Rachel Thomas said, “I’m delighted Brains have given us firm reassurance that the Vulcan will remain open. We’re looking forward to working with Brains in the coming months to secure the long term future of the Vulcan”.

Save the Vulcan campaigner Willy Downie added, “I’m glad Brains have come out with this statement. It’s a big relief! We’re all going to miss Liz, she’s been a legendary landlady!”