**Cardiff Hostel Once at the Centre of Drug Misuse Given New Lease of Life Across from Principality Stadium**
A former Cardiff hostel, notorious for its descent into squalor and rampant drug abuse during the pandemic, has undergone a dramatic renaissance and is on the verge of reopening with a new purpose. The old Nos Da hostel, situated in a prominent position overlooking the River Taff and facing the Principality Stadium, had fallen into such a dire state that it became synonymous locally with anti-social behaviour, illegal drug use and waste-strewn premises.
After closing in the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns, Nos Da attracted significant problems, with neighbours complaining of discarded needles, overflowing rubbish and a general sense of neglect enveloping the once-popular site. Scenes inside included soiled mattresses, graffiti-scarred walls, and evidence of extensive drug use. When Cardiff Council’s teams were eventually called in, they faced a mammoth clean-up job, removing hazardous waste and restoring some order to the property’s grounds.
In 2023, the building, which came to market at £1 million, was purchased by Mike and Michel Catris, a father and son team with entrepreneurial backgrounds but no prior experience in hospitality. The two men took on the unenviable task of transforming the derelict site, beginning with an extensive deep clean. “There were needles everywhere… rats, graffiti, and the remnants of people sleeping rough,” Michel described. “The first two months were nothing but stripping the place back and scrubbing until it was safe for others to come in and help.”
According to the new owners, specialist cleaning contractors filled 14 buckets with discarded needles, a stark indicator of just how far the place had deteriorated. “It was worse than anything you see on TV,” recalled Mike, expressing his astonishment at the scale of the problem. The pair worked alongside professionals at the beginning, emphasising that at times, only those in protective gear could safely enter the building.
However, thanks to their determination, the building’s transformation is remarkable. Rebranded as ‘On the River’, the rejuvenated location is set to function both as a bar and accommodation venue. The site now boasts 11 rooms and can accommodate up to 32 guests. The visitor offer is complemented by a new communal space, coffee shop and an outdoor area, significantly improved since the council’s first intervention.
Community interest has been strong throughout the project, with local residents eager to see the property brought back into productive use rather than being lost to speculative redevelopment. “When we began, people kept asking if we would turn it into flats or a high-rise,” Michel explained. “When they realised we wanted to return this as a place people could enjoy – a bar, a café, a meeting point for the community – they were really behind us. The state it had been left in really was a blight on the neighbourhood.”
The owners hope ‘On the River’ will quickly find its place in the local area, not just on major event days at the Principality Stadium but throughout the year. The venue aims to partner with street food vendors, and plans are already underway for live music, open mic, quiz and comedy nights. Longer-term ambitions include providing space for running and cycling clubs, as well as dementia-friendly cafés during less busy times, thus ensuring the venue serves a broad cross-section of the community.
Despite their previous business experience, this hospitality venture is a first for Mike and Michel. Mike, who previously ran care homes and mental health units, candidly acknowledged the challenge. “I’d never expected to be running a bar and guest house. But once we committed, we felt it was important to make it as good as we possibly could – giving it the best chance.”
‘On the River’ is set to open its accommodation from 28 June, followed by initial bar openings coinciding with major music events in the city, such as the upcoming Oasis and Stereophonics gigs. The coffee shop will also begin serving customers from the opening weekend and is planned to remain open throughout the year.
In the context of widespread closures and uncertainty in the UK’s hospitality industry, the transformation of Nos Da into ‘On the River’ offers a rare story of regeneration and hope. Its success, according to the Catris family, will come down to community engagement and a focus on delivering a welcoming, multi-use space fit for Cardiff in 2025 and beyond.