In 2004, Wales Millennium Centre was officially opened, Sugar nightclub was the place to be, Manchester United won the FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, McFly performed at Red Dragon’s FM ‘Party in the Park’ and the city centre looked very different. For some, 2004 might feel like it happened yesterday, but it actually happened two decades ago. The city of Cardiff has seen a lot of change since then, but some things have remained the same.
Here's a nostalgic look back at what Cardiff looked like 20 years ago - the shops and nightclubs that were popular, the famous faces of that time, the questionable haircuts and fashion we had, the places that we loved and the places that we miss. Arguably the biggest thing to happen in 2004 in the Welsh capital was the construction of the new Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay The venue opened on November 27 that year with a spectacular firework display as part of the celebrations to mark the opening Although the WMC is still very much with us, there are some places that sadly aren't. Who remembers the Oxford Arcade in The Hayes? Or the Argos Store at the Queens Arcade? And who could forget the Virgin Megastore? Here are fans waiting to meet David Walliams and Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame in October 2004 And here's a young Shane Williams during the launch of 'WCR' Playstation game at the same Virgin Megastore in April 2004 Sugar opened in 2004 and with three levels and a laid-back vibe, the club was the height of nightclub sophistication on Womanby Street.
Unfortunately, it closed in 2008. And we sure knew how to have fun back then! Here's a hen party making their way through Cardiff city centre Here's Maria Renzi and eleven of her friends in a limousine on their way to Cardiff Airport for a flight to Benidorm to celebrate her hen in July of that year And here's a group of friends enjoying a night out at St Mary's Street in Cardiff on December 23, 2004 This was the School Disco Night at the Millennium Stadium on New Year's Eve 2003/4, December 31 2004. (L-R) Emma, Lisa and Kirsty from Rhondda This was the sun rising over Cardiff Bay on January 4, 2004 The high street in Whitchurch in July, 2004 Actors Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper filming Doctor Who in Queen Street back in November, 2004 What the Millennium Plaza signage looked like back then Autumnal colours paint the landscape in Roath Park on October 25, 2004 Girls Aloud opening HMV in Cardiff on November 19, 2004 The late former First Minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan, helping to promote Riverside Market in 2004 Perhaps some things never change! Here's the traffic congestion on North Road in Cardiff in April, 2004 People of Cardiff having fun on the ice at the city's Winter Wonderland in 2004 River costumes on parade in Mermaid Quay during Cardiff Carnival 2004 Drag artists at the Cardiff's Mardi Gras held at Coopers Field Hal Luscombe of the Dragons, Gavin Henson of the Ospreys, Lee Thomas of the Blues and Mike Phillips of the Llanelli Scarlets at a shoot in Flannels, Cardiff An aerial view of Cardiff's Brains Brewery in 2004, with the silos pictured on the left "Banksman" Steve Evans rides the "Man Carrier" 275 feet above Cardiff as work progresses on the "Altolusso" residential development in September 2004.
When it was completed in May 2005, it became the tallest residential block in Wales. A general shot of Queen Street in February, 2004 Sunshine hit Cardiff on April 24, 2004 with Rod Fisher and his son Adam (left) and Gruban Lima in one of Roath Lake's paddle boats.
