Cardiff owes much of its history to the Industrial Revolution of the 1790’s, which stimulated mining in the valleys of South Wales. It also gave rise to the building of the Glamorganshire Canal in 1794, which brought iron and coal down from the valleys. As this industry expanded it became obvious that a more efficient form of transport was required and in 1840 the Taff Vale Railway opened.

This rapidly increasing iron and coal trade was also the catalyst for the construction of a number of docks during the 1830’s. These included the Bute West Dock, which was the first dock to be opened by the 2nd Marquis of Bute in 1839 and its seaward entrance known as the Oval Basin, the Bute East Dock in 1855, Roath Basin in 1874, Roath Dock in 1887 and the Queen Alexandra Dock in 1907..

During this time, Butetown and the surrounding dockland area grew into a cosmopolitan community with seafarers from all around the world making Cardiff their home. It is estimated that people from al least 50 nationalities settled in this area, which became known as 'Tiger Bay' This kaleidoscope of settlers helped to build the docks, worked aboard the ships and helped to service this industrial and maritime city.

By the 1880’s, Cardiff had transformed from one of the smallest towns in Wales to the largest and its port was handling more coal than any other port in the world. On the eve of the First World War in 1913, coal exports reached their peak at over 13 million tonnes. At this time the international price of coal was struck in the Coal Exchange building and it was here that the worlds first £1 million pound deal was signed.

After the Second World War, however, demand for coal slumped and international markets were lost as other countries developed their own steel industries. Trade was increasingly lost to container ports and by the 1960’s coal exports had virtually ceased. In 1978 East Moors Steelworks closed with the loss of 3,200 jobs and this dealt a further blow to South Cardiff.

By the early 1980’s Cardiff Bay had become a neglected wasteland of derelict docks and mudflats. Its population suffered from social exclusion and had above average levels of unemployment.

The docklands had given the City its wealth, but had then been disinherited.