Porter's began as a live music venue at Harlech Court in 2012. Over the years — shaped by the team, the artists, the audiences and the collaborators who believed in it — it grew into something with deeper roots: a three-storey grassroots creative arts centre in the heart of Cardiff.
That evolution has always been community-led. We've moved beyond the days of simply "good people, good times" — though that spirit is still in our bones. Kindness, inclusivity, treating everyone like humans first — that never changes. What's deepened is our purpose: to nurture creativity, support emerging talent and help build strong communities — creating the conditions where artists and audiences thrive together. Porter's exists to cultivate a thriving cultural ecology in Cardiff, one where everyone is welcome, social connections flourish and artists can do their best work. A place where culture happens.
What has changed now is how we're structured — and what that means for our future.
With government-backed support through WCVA, Porter's has transitioned into community ownership, becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC). This isn't a change of direction. It's the structure that makes everything we've always stood for official, protected, and built to last.
A CIC (Community Interest Company) is a legal structure designed to aid organisations like us — ones that exist to benefit the artists, audiences and the city’s cultural life. For Porter's, that means any surplus we make is locked into the organisation and reinvested — into the programme, the building and the people who make this place what it is. It's a structure built for exactly what we've always been: an organisation that puts culture and community ahead of personal profit.
Practically, it also introduces a trustee board to oversee the organisation, making us more formally accountable to the communities we serve. And it opens doors that weren't open before: charitable fundraising, social investment, and stronger strategic partnerships — including continued support from Cardiff Council and Music Venue Trust.
Porter's has spent more than a decade growing as part of Cardiff's independent music and arts scene. This transition is the next step in that journey — one that protects the venue for the long term and ensures it remains rooted in the values it was built on.
Dan Porter, co-founder of Porter’s, puts it:
"This is a hugely exciting moment for Porter's. We've always been built on community spirit, creativity and making space for people. Moving into community ownership protects that future and gives us the tools to do even more."
The trustee board will be chaired by David Wilson, original co-founder of Porter's and an experienced cultural leader whose career spans some of Wales' leading arts organisations — including Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Theatr Brycheiniog and national sector bodies.
David has been part of Porter's story from the beginning. His role as chair reflects both continuity and ambition.
"Porter's has always been bigger than bricks and mortar. It is a place where people meet, perform, experiment, celebrate and belong. This new model ensures the venue remains rooted in those values, while opening the door to new investment and stronger long-term resilience."
This transition didn't happen overnight, and it didn't happen alone. We're grateful to WCVA, whose Social Investment team provided the government-backed support that made this move possible.
Alun Jones, Head of Social Investment at WCVA, said:
"We are delighted to support Porter's at this important stage in its journey. Community ownership can create stronger, more resilient organisations with deep local impact, and Porter's is a brilliant example of a venue with the ambition, track record and community value to thrive in this model."
We'd also like to thank Cardiff Council, Music Venue Trust, and everyone in our community — audiences, artists, partners and supporters — whose belief in this place has made it worth protecting.
For most people, day-to-day life at Porter's will feel exactly the same — and that's the point.
We're committed to playing our part in Cardiff's music and arts scene — a place where people can put on a show, try something new, meet friends, hear live music, have a pint and leave having found something they weren't expecting.
That's what Porter's is, and that's what this new structure exists to protect.
What changes is what becomes possible. A stronger foundation means greater ambition, more partnerships and a venue built not just for now, but for the long haul.
We're stepping into this next chapter with excitement — and with you at the centre of it.
