A chapel hidden in a landmark Cardiff department store is set to be rediscovered in bold plans from its landlord.
The famous Howells building in the centre of Cardiff will be opened up with a a new pedestrian area.
A planning application, which will demolish a section of the store that links other parts of the building, has been submitted by owners Naissance Capital Real Estate.
The work will open up the 19th-century Bethany Chapel, which, while pre-dating the site, was fully absorbed within the fabric of the 270,000sq ft-plus building in the 1970s.
It comes as there is strong interest from potential new occupiers, from office to leisure, attracted by the rejuvenation plans.
The current House of Fraser department store will remain as the anchor tennant.
Naissance has submitted a change of use application from retail to mixed use to Cardiff Council as part of its ambitious plans.
Chief executive Azeemeh Zaheer said: “Retail markets and shops have a storied history dating back to antiquity and will continue to play a significant role in our social fabric.
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“The Howells store in Cardiff is no exception. From 1879 until today, Howells features one of the most architecturally interesting buildings in the city centre and boasts one of the most prestigious and magnificent facades on St Mary Street.
“The store’s expansion in 1920 added a stunning neoclassical extension on the corner of St Mary Street, culminating in the absorption of Bethany Chapel, which was built on the site of an earlier chapel in 1865.
“The chapel’s frontage has been tucked away into the interior of the House of Fraser’s men’s department ever since. The intention behind the demolition application we have submitted is to have the option to reopen and showcase the front of Bethany Chapel for the public to view, through pedestrianising the front.
“Not only will this increase visibility for everyone, it will help generate more tourism and footfall through the building. The demolition will also create a fresh pathway, thereby enabling any new tenants to lay in high-speed fibre optics for Wi-Fi into their space.”
She added: “We recently also submitted a change of use application for some of the space. Last year, we mutually agreed an option to claw back 50,000sq ft of the 272,488sq ft with House of Fraser.
“I am pleased to share that after several months focused on a comprehensive review of the building’s mechanical and electrical, key surveys and building control issues, we found a fair solution to exercise our option to recover areas around the store, and managed such that House of Fraser trading will not be affected during the works.
“As such, we had recently recovered a total of 45,899sq ft, which affected less than 10,000sq ft of active retail operations. As part of the works, building infrastructure upgrades behind the scenes will take place which will help ensure a resilient building for many years to come.”
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She said that while there is strong tenant interest, it would remain a major retail destination.
Ms Zaheer added: “Although the formal tenancies will be announced over the next month or so, the store continues to be a major destination for shoppers.
“As the second-largest department store in Wales, House of Fraser has employed many people throughout the years and featured in the hit series Doctor Who as the set for Rose Tyler’s workplace, Henriks.
“Howells has maintained a loyal following for decades, but even more so after the demise of its long-term rival David Morgan in January 2005.
“The Hayes is the city’s number-one street for luxury and high-end retailers and would make the perfect long-term home as House of Fraser looks to evolve its store vision, alongside other well-recognised occupiers.”