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A popular city centre park has been locked to the public due to “persistent” anti-social behaviour.

Cardiff Council has promised action to tackle “intimidating” behaviour in St John’s Churchyard Gardens outside Cardiff Market

(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)

During the last 12 months the space, which backs onto Cardiff Story Museum, has been locked “intermittently” during the daytime following reports of drug use, fighting, drinking and swearing.

Market traders have warned the move could impact on business unless the space is redeveloped and reopened permanently.

(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)

Lucy Kemble, of The Cheese Stall in the city’s historic indoor market, said: “It’s dreadful. Our visitors used to buy lunch and go out and sit in the garden and unfortunately now they can’t.

“When they did it wasn’t very nice for them as there was fighting and swearing.

“It’s intimidating, people shouldn’t drink in the garden, it’s not for that.”

Lucie Cropper, also of The Cheese Stall, added: “Once we sent two visitors out there and they came back absolutely disgusted – all we could do was apologise.

“Unfortunately they’ve had to close the toilets [in Cardiff Market] for the same reason. People were washing their clothes, washing their hair in there, drinking in there.

“I went in there one morning and a girl was injecting herself.”

(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)

Dave Limburn, 54, of E Ashton Fishmongers, said: “You have the poor people on their lunch break with their sandwiches and they have to try and put up with that.

“It’s a beautiful place with the plants and pigeons and then you have to put up with people jacking themselves up.”

The latest move by Cardiff council to tackle problems in the park come a month after digital locks were installed in the market’s public toilets to address “illegal anti-social behaviour”.

As previously reported, customers now need to ask traders for a password to be able to use the toilets.

In response to questions posed online about the park’s future, Cardiff Council described antisocial behaviour in the area as “persistent”.

But the park closure has been criticised by regular users of the market.

Cardiff resident Mike Hanlon, 73, said: “I know why they’re doing it but it’s a shame.

“They need to have police or wardens keep an eye on it so people can enjoy themselves.

“When you get people doing drugs and drinking there it’s not very nice. ”

(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)

Market customer Dilwyn, 60, said: “In other parks like Rumney Park they have park rangers. Why can’t they have something there?

“All it needs is a bit of up-keep from time to time.

“People keep coming here for a bite to eat but if they can’t sit down anywhere they will go elsewhere.

“You get people saying you can’t go there and sit down as people are fighting and swearing.”

A spokeswoman for Cardiff council said talks were underway with not-for-profit organisation For Cardiff to organise “small events and entertainment” in the space.

She said: “Unfortunately due to incidents of anti-social behaviour, St John’s Churchyard Gardens have been locked intermittently over the last 12 months.

“The council is keen to reopen the gardens for the public to enjoy and is working with For Cardiff to explore opportunities for small events and entertainment in the area.

“We also have plans for improvements including removing some of the lower branches of the trees to allow more light into the area, upgrading uplighters and refurbishing the railings.”