Plans have emerged to transform a historic church in Barry into a restaurant, renewing hopes of saving it from demolition. The church, Christ Church Presbyterian in Tynewydd Road, which dates back to the 1890s, is slated to be named House of Bread if approved by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Bellvista Properties Development Limited, the group behind the proposal, aims to preserve the building from dereliction and eventual demolition.
Initial plans in 2021 to demolish the church faced strong opposition, with local councillors describing the situation as a “heritage emergency” for Barry. Cllr Ian Johnson, the ward member for Barry town centre, expressed support for the new plans, highlighting the importance of maintaining the town’s built heritage. He welcomed the potential conversion of the former church into a shop and restaurant, emphasising a positive outcome compared to its earlier demolition threat.
In addition to the transformation of Christ Church Presbyterian, Bellvista Properties Development also has plans for the former Tabernacle Welsh Congregational Chapel in Holton Road, built in the 1890s and closed in 2019. The redevelopment proposal includes retail space on the ground floor, a restaurant on the upper floor, and staff accommodation at the rear of the building. The developers have incorporated external fire escape stairs into their plans with considerations for safety and privacy.
While the proposals do not include car parking facilities, provisions for cycle parking for both staff and customers have been outlined. Cllr Johnson acknowledged the potential for these developments to bring excitement to the town centre but stressed the importance of ensuring the plans are realistic and do not adversely affect residents through issues such as noise or parking challenges.
The conversion of historic buildings into a restaurant and music venue signifies a positive step towards preserving Barry’s architectural heritage and enhancing the town’s cultural offerings. As discussions progress and plans are reviewed by the council, the potential transformation of these iconic structures holds promise for revitalising Barry’s town centre.