Two popular Mumbles businesses have moved from the prom temporarily as work is carried out to strengthen Mumbles sea defences. The Gower Seafood Hut and Bibby's Beans coffee van have moved to pitches in nearby Southend Park as work begins in the area, which is due to be completed next year.
Another business located on the prom, Village Creperie, also plans to re-open in a new nearby location soon after the Easter holidays, at a temporary spot near Oystermouth Square car park.
The existing sea defences in Mumbles were built around 120 years ago and the coastal protection scheme will help protect homes, businesses and the local area from flooding by projected rising sea levels.
The award winning Gower Seafood Hut, once ranked the best place to eat in Swansea, has been trading for six years and sells a range of freshly cooked fish and shellfish. The hut is run by partners Chris Price and Sarah Kift and has won praise from The Observer, Independent, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Chris, who arrived in Swansea as a student more than 20 years ago, said: “Mumbles seafront is a beautiful place to be, especially when you can see people paddleboarding and sunbathing near this spectacular prom.” And Sarah, who grew up in nearby Norton and attended Swansea University, said: “We know how important the sea defence works are and look forward to them being complete. We invite all our regular customers to visit us in Southend Park!”
You may have already seen the trademark purple vans of Bibby's Beans, which serves coffee in Mumbles, on the seafront near Singleton Park and at festivals and markets. On serving coffee in Mumbles, Tom Bibby, co-owner of Bibby's Beans, said: “Being Swansea boys, me and Marc know how brilliant Mumbles seafront is. It’s beautiful, chilled and – because so many people visit – it’s good for business.
"It’s a good place to be all the time, especially when the weather’s getting better, like it is at this time of year. It really is the nicest place to work, especially when you see people enjoying a coffee from us and some food from the seafood hut.”
Once they are set up at their new pitch, Paul Falvey and Dorian Davies of the Village Creperie will offer freshly made crepes with savoury and sweet fillings.
Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens said: “We’re delighted that these popular food and drink businesses can continue to serve customers within a few yards of the prom whilst our vital work is carried out. I know they’ll continue to provide local people and visitors with great food and drink and their special Swansea service.
"We thank them and their customers for their understanding as we work together on this major scheme. Mumbles is open for business this Easter, with roads, bus routes, walking and cycling paths all offering the usual access. The council’s Swansea Bay Rider land train is operating between Blackpill and Mumbles.”
The public were consulted about the Mumbles coastal protection scheme which has been planned for some time. The project will improve 1.2km of the prom approximately from the slipway in front of the Pilot pub to the seawall at Oystermouth Square. As part of the work the council intends to improve the prom for walkers and cyclists, it will be made wider and have new lights, seats, cultural elements and play areas, as well as more greenery and trees.
The scheme is being managed by Swansea Council with funding from the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme.
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