The 41 Albert Road building leased by Deco Cafe is unsound and poses a threat to the public, according to the cafe's owner, a local architect and a Barry contractor.

On the morning of 7 December 2020, a large block of concrete dislodged from a lintel above the first-floor window.

It reportedly almost struck an elderly gentleman, although Nub News has been unable to confirm this due to South Wales Police failing to file an incident report.

Officers arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.

Four months later, on 6 April 2021, Royal Mail (who own the building) sent contractors to repair the area from which the concrete dislodged.

However, owner of Deco Cafe Deborah Lock thinks it is only a matter of time before other areas of the lintel fail and a customer, member of staff or passerby is potentially killed.

She is refusing to pay rent to Royal Mail until they take action by either providing proof that the lintel is safe or replacing the entire band.

"They don't give a sod," she told Nub News. "I have pleaded with them but they won't listen. I'm breaking now and cannot take any more of it.

"Until I know it's safe, I cannot reopen and am not paying rent. It's as simple as that.

"I will not be responsible for someone getting killed."

Photographs from Google Maps taken in July 2019 - prior to Mrs Lock's tenancy, which began in November 2019 - reveal that the lintel was damaged in several areas.

A contractor from Barry, who wishes to remain anonymous, inspected the building at Mrs Lock's request later that year.

"There were several cracks right around the concrete banding (or lintel)," he recalled.

"When these old bands crack, they get water in them and they blow off.

"To do a proper job on that you need to take the lintel right out and recast it all the way around, otherwise you're faced with big problems in the future."

Nub News understands that Royal Mail paid contractors to undertake superficial repair works using filler and paint after Mrs Lock urged them to take action in March 2020.

This was proven to be inadequate when the block broke away in December.

"If it happened once, how are they so sure it won't happen again?" added Mrs Lock.

"Honestly, the bit above the door looks worse than the area that fell off did."

A surveyor who works for Royal Mail and is handling the case told Mrs Lock via email that the postal service had "two surveys carried out since the event".

The surveyor also said he spoke to the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Environmental Health Officer, who "had no concern over the general condition of the property, just the area which has been cordoned", in the words of the surveyor.

Mrs Lock says no Royal Mail or Council employee has conducted a thorough assessment and that no one has inspected the damage from inside the building.

She commissioned local architect Nigel Arnold to do so.

In his March 2021 report (seen by Nub News), Mr Arnold urges that "repair works be carried out as quickly as possible".

"There is evidence of failed and cracked render on the face and soffit of the projecting band which runs continuously above the heads of the first floor windows," wrote Mr Arnold.

"There is no doubt that the projection of the 'lintel' band impedes the flow of water running down the wall above this level.

"Water running down the wall will tend to soak into the projecting head of the window band; the construction will remain soaked during wet periods, which in turn will lead to the corrosion of any metal re-inforcement contained within the projected construction.

"Corroding steel will delaminate and therefore expand, causing cracking and spalling of the cementitious based material within which it is embedded."

Indeed, the walls inside the first-floor are significantly spalled. It is concerning to note that the spalling appears more severe in the area above the cafe's entrance than in the area where the lintel broke away.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this is the cause of the failed render and any concrete substrate," the report continues.

"Unfortunately, the failed construction is directly above the (customer and staff) entrance door into [Deco Cafe].

"There is clear and evident danger that at any point, a portion of the loosened construction could fall away and seriously injure (or worse) any person who may be below it at the time."

After receiving the report, Mrs Lock informed Royal Mail that she would not pay rent in the period from 7 December until the issue is resolved.

She is now also demanding that Royal Mail compensate her for loss of earnings to the tune of £2,000 a week for the five months she was unable to run the takeaway service she launched during lockdown.

"I don't doubt that they'll take me to court over this, but I'm not paying," continued Mrs Lock.

"They are bullies and have put me through hell. They have always been a nightmare to deal with, but I have no idea why, after they got lucky with the original concrete not hurting anyone, they haven't rushed to sort out the problem before someone is killed.

"If it's fallen once it's very likely to fall again. I can't operate while that is the case. It's been a tough year for all small businesses, so imagine what it's been like having this to deal with."

Mrs Lock says she has been forced to keep staff on payroll because businesses started as recently as hers do not qualify for furlough.

She also suffers from the symptoms of so-called long COVID, which she believes have worsened due to stress induced by the ordeal.

Mrs Lock has attempted to reassign her tenancy and end her lease but has been told she cannot do so until she clears the arrears she is refusing to pay.

"I'm not just going to pay it and pass on the problem to the next tenant. The money is the least of my worries. I'm terrified it's going to hit someone. I need to force them to fix it," she said.

"We are not looking for a fight," added assistant manager Beverley Mitchell. "We have just had an event which needs to be resolved and we want to reopen for trade. It's as simple as that.

"We can't do that when customers are coming through a door with fragile fascia directly above it.

"[Royal Mail] need to look at the [Mr Arnold's] report and take on board its recommendations. There is a problem. Solve it. Somebody could get hurt."

Nub News reached out to Royal Mail for comment seven days ago. They are yet to provide one.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said:

"We have responded to complaints relating to a potential dangerous structure. We are aware works have been completed and we will continue to monitor the situation."