Cardiff's Mansion House

The Mansion House is one of the most attractive buildings in Cardiff. Elegant and impressive, it tells the story of the rise of a small mid 19th century town to the capital of Wales.

In 1850 just over 18,000 lived in Cardiff; in the next ten years the population almost doubled to 33,000. Businesses were booming, none more so than shopping. One of Cardiff’s first entrepreneurs was James Howell who had opened a shop in 1865. It flourished and 30 years later he needed a new, large home for his family - he needed it as he had 11 children...

He leased land from Lord Tredegar in what is now the Richmond Road area and had a uniquely designed building. With two front doors it could be used as two separate homes.

He could see Howells, his departments store, from his new home.

Bought by the city council in 1913, it became the Mansion House and home for Lord Mayors until 1971. It was the pride of the city, reflecting its growing importance. It was not just a private home but a showpiece, promoting business and industry. 

I enjoyed many special occasions there, including  meetings that led to Panasonic setting up a major new industry, and thousands of civil servants moving from London.

It was not all business. Lord Mayors did a lot of entertaining, with VIPs from around the world. One Lord Mayor, Norman Lloyd-Edwards, later to become  Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan and  Sir Norman, even brought his grand piano to the Mansion House.

How times have changed. Today, the Mansion House is an up market wedding venue with an all with everything arranged for an advertised £3,000 to £4,000, or more modest events and celebrations. 

It is a favourite place for charities. Face Up, the head and neck cancer charity which Rosemary and I helped to found, raised thousands of pounds there. Opera singer Stuart Burrows, a great supporter, gave a series of  concerts for us, turning up in his Rolls Royce with his recording equipment.

The Mansion House may have lost its civic role but it is proving even more attractive and useful for us Cardiffians.

As for Howells store, it retained its name for many years before being eventually taken over by the House Of Fraser.