David Rowlands has been appointed manager of The Cricketers in Pontcanna, Cardiff, part of the Croeso Pubs group.
Mr Rowlands brings years of experience in hospitality, including event day management at the Principality Stadium, work in city centre cocktail bars, and five years as licensee of the award-winning North Star in Maindy.
Originally from Abergavenny and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Rowlands said: “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.
“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.”
He stepped down from the North Star last year, took a break from the industry, and has now returned to hospitality with Croeso Pubs.
Mike Haygarth, area director at Croeso Pubs, welcomed the appointment.
He said: “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.
“We are over the moon that he’s joined our management team and can’t wait to see what he does at The Cricketers.”
Croeso Pubs has a track record of revitalising pubs across Cardiff.
The company relaunched The Philharmonic in 2017 following a £1 million refurbishment and has since reopened 33 Windsor Place as The Daffodil and restored the historic Blue Bell on High Street.
