Makers, creators and creative start-ups working out of studios which are earmarked for development as part of the regeneration of Dumballs Road in Cardiff have secured a new temporary home with help from Cardiff Council.
Sustainable Studios, an artist-led provider of affordable studio space recently signed a three-year lease on a former Transport Club on Tudor Street, providing them with a secure home for the meantime, where they can continue their work.
After carrying out some refurbishment work, the organisation intends to use the site to build on their existing work, and expand their offering for communities and young people, offering:
- Mentoring, internships and work experience placements
- Community workshops, and activities to engage young people
- A small café space
- Maker markets, exhibitions and events
- Event space hire for photoshoots, gigs, filming and community events; as well as
- Affordable Maker and Artist studios
Zoe who owns Prints by Nature, based out of Sustainable Studios, said “Prior to moving into my studio I was working in the spare room and kitchen table at home; alone, frustrated with the lack of work-life balance and lacking the creative space/community I had craved since leaving uni I decided to join TSS. It’s been over a year and I honestly love coming into the space. Having other creatives to bounce ideas and skill share has been brilliant, it’s helped my mental health endlessly and given me the space to feel limitlessly creative. Without the studio being able to move to the Transport Club I genuinely don’t know how myself or business would survive.”
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “The success of Cardiff’s creative sector is of significant importance to Cardiff both economically and culturally. Sustainable Studios have been one of the lynchpins of Cardiff’s creative sector for many years, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to find a way to help them find a new space so they can continue to thrive in years to come.”
“Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “Empty buildings do nobody any favours, so finding an organisation who can make use of the Transport Club on a temporary basis while we continue to develop a longer-term plan for the site, while also delivering benefits to the local community is good news all round.”
