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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Rhodri Harrison

The Swansea venue reinventing what it means to be a city centre bar

Located at the bottom of Swansea's Wind Street, you'll find a unconventional city bar that is challenging the image of a traditional boozer.

Neighbouring fierce nightlife rivals in clubs, chain restaurants and takeaways, Founders & Co wanted to break away from the routine and create a "social space" that would attract visitors at all hours of the day.

With something for everyone, the 'food hall' styled venue has made a name for itself away from the food & drink scene of the city with its plethora of events, all designed to celebrate Swansea.

Read more: Traditional pub moves to permanent vegan menu after Veganuary trial resulted in full booking for a month

Once home to the old Revolution, gone are the dark-lit multiple rooms and sticky dance floors. Breaking away from its former image, the space has now become a 'must-go' destination for it's open wide space and diversity of offerings.

"We wanted a mix of local and something new when creating the venue; local artists and retailers were always involved at the core of our design with both creating the space and in our exhibits. We want to celebrate the best Swansea has to offer, both in produce and trade," said operations and creative lead, Adam Cousins.

Whilst developing the food and drink options within the venue, the team wanted to offer "something new" to the city with flavours and vibrant options that people might not be typically accustomed to.

Familiar cuisines like pizza and burgers found in Dusty's Pizza or Bangin' Burger have both ventured from Cardiff to the venue.

Welcome to Founders & Co (John Myers)
Dusty's Pizza (John Myers)
Some of the dining options (John Myers)

Outside of those staples, Tokyo Nights, alongside Tukka Tuk and Puckin' Poutine, all offer street food-style cuisines from all across the world, offering visitors a taste of something new and not always found within Swansea.

Despite the venue making a name for itself with its wide choice of street food and drink, the space has heavily ventured as of late into creativity. With artwork being designed by local Swansea artists including 'The Hass', Founders & Co offer music, live acoustic sessions, fashion shows, pottery, arts and crafts and even yoga - the list of events really does go on and on.

"We wanted to create a unique space, one where people can work, relax or socialise at any time of the day. We recognised the development journey that Wind Street and the city of Swansea was heading on as a whole and we felt like that journey fitted our mindset.

"With top quality coffee with Little Man Coffee, an addition of RAVS Vintage Clothing partnering with Plants & Papers taking over our retail space, it's added to our relaxed social feel and we don't stop there" said Adam.

Adam Cousins, manager of Founders & Co (John Myers)
Founders & Co offers a wide social space (John Myers)

The venue has begun to dive deep into replicating a community feel through it's use of markets, with pop up events showcasing local Swansea businesses and names or groups

"We're really passionate about promoting local people and their independent businesses, especially in this current climate. Our markets are a great platform for this, with regular indoor markets boasting as many as 20 local traders, we're on a journey to partner with musicians, artists and crafters in a similar way.

"There are so many talented people in Swansea and we're so excited to provide them with a unique place to host their events or classes and I'd suggest everyone came down to try something they may not have typically got involved in" said the 33-year-old.

Pop up traders and businesses have become a regular sight at Founders & Co (John Myers)
Vintage clothing has also become a hit for the venue (John Myers)
(John Myers)

With the Welsh government recently announcing a timetable of restrictions being eased in the country, the rule of six, table service and two metre physical distancing should no longer be required in hospitality by January 28, which the owners hope might further aid the success of the already vibrant venue.

Recounting the challenging previous years, Adam said the venue would continue to re-connect friends with family whilst maintaining its "safe, relaxing environment to enjoy food and drinks with your friends, colleagues and neighbours"

(John Myers)
(John Myers)
There are cakes for sale (John Myers)

Having recently closed the venue over a busy Christmas period, the venue has taken a forward thinking approach in helping maintain not only its own traders but also it's own staff, allowing them time off for a ' staff wellbeing week '.

"It's really who we are as a business, our team have been incredible in making the Founders & Co experience friendly, welcoming and interactive. We're really proud of how everyone has bought into our ethos and way of living. We're on such an exciting mental wellbeing journey for our team and have already made some big steps" added Adam.

There are further plans to develop the venue, both in terms of events on offer, alongside new food and drink additions. And Founders & Co said they always welcomed new ideas to join the mix

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