All that glitters isn't gold, as it soon gets old...

As my city changes around me, its clear that yesterday's Cardiff is a very different one to today's. In particular, the Cardiff Bay Retail Park only a mile from my house has received two new additions, Morrisons and Toys'R'Us, whilst the once-imagined International Sports Village is now slowly becoming a visable reality. It kinda makes me remember when a certain Swedish chain opened their wares to Cardiff for the first time only a few years ago. Ikea was perhaps the very pinnacle of the retail park's status; indeed as well as the city itself, the store signalled that the Welsh capital was worthy enough to up there with the city powerhouses of Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. In addition to creating a symbol of prosperity and confidence for the city, it opened up a whole new world for all Ikea virgins.

I must admit that when I went to see the Ikea store in Bristol, I was wowed. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - it was not just another MFI, a home furnishers paradise. The furniture was so different, so alternative to anything I had ever seen. You could even eat decent food in a gigantic restaurant, serving Swedish meatballs with ligonberry juice. It was such an experience which to this day, I guess I will never forget. And lo and behold when it came to Wales, my excitment was emulated once more. It wasn't long before I bought my Robin CD rack, my Billy Bookcase and a Bamsig toy (a cuddly blue dog in a spacesuit) for Jen.

So on a random trip to buy magazine containers for my BBC History magazines I stumbled into Little Sweden for a walk around. Now, the previous store opening shine has disappeared underneath the dirty layers of recession, stupidity and banality. Only a few weeks ago it was reported that the Ikea Cardiff kitchens were not conducting as cleanly as they should be, which was a blow to what is usually a busy sector of the store. The economic slowdown effecting retail has also caught up with the Swedish giant and in turn they began to cut staff rapidly. It is a common occurrence to wait a helluva long time to be served at the tills. But the final straw came to me when I took adavantage of the 'Hot Dog Combo' offer. At first I thought I was on a winner as for a pound, you can still get a large hot dog and a soft drink, but now you can have free refills on drink. Result! However to my disgust gone were the decent branded drinks, and even the ligonberry carbonated juice drink! In their place, were an orangeade, a cola drink and a lemonade so foul and unrefined it could make a Happy Shopper soft drink seem like in the same league with Pepsi. Come back Lowes, all is forgiven!!! I felt violated, betrayed and angered all at one time. But above all, I was disappointed at how things had changed - it was clear that Ikea was now part of the Grangetownian skyline. Now I no longer say "I can't believe Ikea is here", and a trip there is mundane and banal, not as exciting as before.

My point, be it obvious or not, is that Morrisons will soon become the new Ikea. In fact, I think it already is. Its just a shame that the glitter couldn't last just a little bit longer.