Key Points
- It has been announced that David Rowlands is the newly-appointed manager of The Cricketers in Pontcanna, Cardiff, which is part of the Croeso Pubs group.
- Rowlands comes with a wealth of experience within the hospitality industry, including event day management at the Principality Stadium, experience managing a cocktail bar in the city centre, and five years of licenseeship at the North Star, Maindy – an award-winning establishment.
- Born in Abergavenny and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Rowlands intends to continue developing The Cricketers following the success of Croeso Pubs during their ownership of the venue, which started in 2025.
- Developments include further diversifying events at the venue with comedy acts like those Mr Rowlands managed previously.
- Commenting on the appointment of Mr Rowlands, Mike Haygarth, area director of Croeso Pubs, praised Mr Rowlands’s achievements at the North Star.
Pontcanna (Cardiff Daily) September 14, 2026 – A pub manager renowned for transforming hospitality venues into bustling community hubs has officially taken the helm at a popular Cardiff city centre establishment. As reported by Jo Barnes, community content editor of the South Wales Argus, David Rowlands has been appointed as the new manager of The Cricketers located in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff, which operates under the ownership of the Croeso Pubs group.
Mr Rowlands brings years of comprehensive experience within the hospitality sector. His professional background encompasses event day management at the landmark Principality Stadium, operational work within city centre cocktail bars, and a successful five-year tenure as the licensee of the award-winning North Star pub situated in Maindy. Originally from Abergavenny and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Rowlands outlined his operational philosophy and vision for his new post.
As reported by Jo Barnes of the South Wales Argus, Mr Rowlands stated that:
“The team at Croeso Pubs only took over The Cricketers in 2025 and since then they’ve made great strides in making it a pub that is truly for the locals and that’s what I’m keen to carry on, but with my own twist.”
Elaborating further on his strategic plans for the venue, Mr Rowlands stated that:
“At the North Star, we were really successful at hosting events and comedy showcases, and I’m very keen to replicate some of that at The Cricketers and increase that portfolio and the community reach the venue already has.”
Following a planned departure from the North Star in the preceding year and a brief hiatus from the industry, Mr Rowlands has now returned to the hospitality sector in collaboration with the Croeso Pubs organisation.
Explore more Pontcanna News:
Cardiff Bar Faces Backlash Over Extended Outdoor Hours in Pontcanna 2026
Cardiff Wine Bar Uisce Faces Opposition Over Outdoor Hours Pontcanna 2026
How has Croeso Pubs responded to the new managerial appointment?
The leadership team at Croeso Pubs has expressed significant optimism regarding the appointment of Mr Rowlands to lead operations at The Cricketers. Mike Haygarth, area director at Croeso Pubs, formally welcomed the incoming manager and highlighted his proven track record in the local area.
As reported by Jo Barnes of the South Wales Argus, Mike Haygarth stated that:
“What Dave and his team achieved at the North Star speaks for itself really – he made it a ‘go to’ venue for students and locals alike in Maindy.”
Furthermore, Mr Haygarth added that:
“We are over the moon that he’s joined our management team and can’t wait to see what he does at The Cricketers.”
This appointment aligns with Croeso Pubs’ established corporate history of revitalising and managing notable hospitality venues across Cardiff. The company previously undertook the high-profile relaunch of The Philharmonic in 2017 following a GBP 1 million refurbishment project. Additionally, the group has successfully reopened 33 Windsor Place as The Daffodil and restored the historic Blue Bell venue located on High Street.
Background of the particular development
The appointment of David Rowlands to manage The Cricketers follows a period of strategic expansion and portfolio management by the independent Welsh hospitality operator, Croeso Pubs. The company acquired The Cricketers in 2025 as part of its ongoing strategy to secure and revitalise prominent community pubs throughout Cardiff.
Croeso Pubs has built a reputation for breathing new life into historic or underperforming city establishments, blending modern hospitality trends with traditional pub values. Mr Rowlands’s transition to The Cricketers represents a union between an experienced local operator known for community engagement and a corporate group focused on neighborhood integration.
This management development is expected to significantly increase local footfall and community engagement at The Cricketers. For the local residents, patrons, and regular pub-goers of Pontcanna, the arrival of a manager with a proven background in hosting diverse community events—such as comedy showcases and live entertainment—means the pub is likely to evolve into a more vibrant social hub.
While maintaining the foundational changes introduced by Croeso Pubs since their 2025 acquisition, patrons can anticipate a richer calendar of events and a stronger neighborhood-centric atmosphere, closely mirroring the successful blueprint Mr Rowlands previously established at the North Star in Maindy.
