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One of Cardiff's most famous pubs is set to close next month.

Dempseys, which is owned by Brains and is opposite Cardiff Castle, will close on February 12.

The company has said that the venue will undergo "a substantial redevelopment" and that the welfare of their staff is "a priority".

But manager Kathryn Luxton wrote on social media: "It's with a heavy, heavy heart to inform you all that Dempseys will be closing its doors for the final time on the 12th of February.

"The brewery have decided to close and re-open sometime in the late spring/early summer under new management and a new name.

"As a family (including staff) we are utterly devastated by this crushing news. Dempseys has been my home for the best part of 10 years and obviously my job.

"I can share with you now, speaking on behalf of myself, I've loved this wonderful place with all my heart. Staff past and present have all meant the world to me and my family. So much so you've all felt like children to me.

"Customers/friends, you've all been just the best I could have hoped for on this journey.

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"RIP Dempseys. We will miss you more than you know of a crazy weekend.

"I'm only sorry any corporate fools didn't love you just the same as us and see just how special you are to everyone as the 'go to place' xxxxx"

In a detailed statement from Brains, a spokesman said: "We can confirm Dempseys bar on Castle Street in Cardiff city centre will close next month ahead of a substantial redevelopment of the venue.

"As with any redevelopment, the welfare of our staff team is a priority as we are fully aware of the potential for personal impact.

"We have begun consulting with our team on the likely future of the business and any professional impact arising from it. Our intention and hope is that we will be able to provide other employment opportunities for the current team employed at Dempseys.

"The need for improvement and modernisation of Dempseys has been apparent for some time and as a company Brains has sought to ensure that our city centre businesses remain relevant to the ever-evolving needs of the Cardiff consumer.

"The £215K development of Kitty Flynns into the Cambrian Tap and the £1.2m investment in The Dock in Cardiff Bay are examples of our commitment to an improvement agenda with both businesses being more widely used than had previously been the case.

"Across these two developments alone, an additional 35 jobs have been created."

The upstairs area known as Four Bars is known for being one of the city's best live music venues.

(Image: South Wales Echo)

Bands that have played there include Kids in Glass Houses, The Drums, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Alt-J and The Vaccines. It is also a host pub for the Swn Festival, the annual music festival held in the city.

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Fans of the pub have taken to social media upset at the closure.

One said: "Another blow for live music in Cardiff. Thanks a bunch Brains."

Another said: "Another proper pub gone and from a selfish point of view my job. Brains is an ironic name for the company."

In 2015 furious Welsh fans vowed to boycott the pub after it decided to show England's Rugby World Cup match against Uruguay instead of Wales’ historic football match against Bosnia .

They have jazz music live nights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and DJ sets on Friday and Saturday.