Host to all manner of quirky events in Cardiff, Depot has become a key part of the capital’s independent furniture. Fedor Tot chats to director Nick Saunders.
Depot is getting involved in a number of things over the next year or so, can you tell us about any particular plans you have?
We’ve been operating for over four years now, and our plans for the venue would be to develop our current model, to have more in-house kitchens for chefs to come in and work, and develop the business for corporate stuff that we’ve not been able to previously do because of unavailable facilities.
A big part of Depot’s future is to move to a new location. Wherever we go next, we’re looking to create a site to house startups, whilst also having an events base with a street food market element to it and all sorts of live music to try and develop it all into an all-inclusive venue. We’re hoping to move somewhere where we can have the late-night and more live music, because we’re limited to certain noise levels here [on Dumballs Rd].
What was your initial inspiration for Depot?
We saw that Cardiff was lacking in independent venues back in 2015 and how other capital cities – or just general cities around the UK and Europe – were hosting warehouse-style events which gave a blank canvas to people and creatives to go in to develop an idea that clubs or more traditional venues can’t offer. We’ve taken elements from a ton of our global inspirations and tried to make a go of it ourselves here. Certain figures in the council are a little bit old-fashioned: there’s quite a few barriers you have to go through before you can get stuff off the ground. I’m not saying we’re not going in the right direction, but we are a little bit behind the times.
You moved to Cardiff for university and decided to stay in the city afterwards, how much do you think has changed in that space of time?
People are trying to do more creative things – there’s been a bigger output in outdoor events across the city, and I like to think we’ve helped with that process. Back in 2017, we put on an event for 6,000 people; we now have Depot In The Castle and there have definitely been an influx of events in general that have benefitted the city. Insole Court hosted an event last year called BITE, which was a really good and forward-thinking food event. More events happening isn’t competition for us, it’s helping the city and creates a buzz about Cardiff to make people come here.
If you could recommend one place in Wales to a first-time visitor that’s not on the tourist maps and off the beaten tracks, where would it be and why?
Sen BBQ! It’s my favourite restaurant in Canton. It might not look much from the outside but it’s unbelievable and well-priced.
Info: www.depotcardiff.com