It's been a year of highs and lows for businesses and events in Swansea. At the top of the rollercoaster, our huge new Swansea Arena opened to the public back in March and plans for cable cars, luge runs and a zipline from Kilvey Hill took a huge step forward last month.
But, at the bottom of the ride, we've seen several of our favourite bars, cafes and restaurants close down - many due to the cost of living crisis and others due to a change in people's shopping habits or, tragically, due to awful circumstances like extensive damage caused by a fire.
Here's our round-up of the Swansea bars and restaurants that have unfortunately closed down this year. You can share your best memories of these venues in the comments below this article - or get in touch if you work for any of the businesses listed and have plans in future.
Cakes & Ale, Mumbles
It was a sad sight when independent bar and café Cakes & Ale shut in May 2022 after almost two years of trading. The independent business, located on Newton Road, had taken Mumbles by storm when it opened in August 2019 and had become particularly well-known for its range of quality ales and welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, the business served drinks and cake to take-away, becoming a popular spot for locals venturing out on a socially-distanced walk.
Unfortunately, the economic impact of the pandemic was not something management at Cakes & Ale could recover from and they cited a difficult two years and "rising costs" as their reason for closure.
Earlier this year, owner Laurence Winmill confirmed Cakes & Ale had ceased trading. In a statement shared on social media, he said: "We're really grateful for the support we received from the wonderful people of Mumbles and beyond since we opened back in August, 2019. Unfortunately, for reasons we are all familiar with, trading conditions over the past two years have been extremely difficult, and, sadly, rising costs in challenging times have made it impossible to make the business work, despite every effort.
"It's with a very heavy heart that we have had to take the decision to close our doors here at Cakes & Ale. We are really sorry to say goodbye. We threw everything at it and loved being a part of your days and evenings - thank you for joining us."
Copperfish Restaurant, Mumbles Pier
People travelled from miles around to have dinner and drinks at stunning Copperfish restaurant on Mumbles Pier. But unfortunately, the restaurant was completely destroyed in a huge fire on the shore-end of the pier on August 31, 2022.
At its height, seven fire engines were on the scene with crews battling the blaze for several hours, while police were on-hand erecting cordons and road closures and keeping the public at a safe distance from the area. Huge plumes of smoke could be seen for miles billowing from the area and people were evacuated from the pier and its facilities.
Remarkably, the pier itself, the amusement arcade and Beach Hut cafe were unaffected by the blaze. However the structure next to it, incorporating the well-loved former Cinderella's nightclub which most recently operated as a community space, and its neighbouring Copperfish restaurant were decimated by the flames. Photos showed part of the building had been reduced to its foundations, with large parts of the roof missing and debris and rubble throughout the complex.
Owners of Mumbles Pier said they were "completely devastated" by the fire, but relieved no-one was injured, or worse, in the incident. Local business owners and members of the public have praised the emergency services for their swift response to the fire, with one businesswoman based on the pier saying it's been "wonderful to see the community pull together in tough times".
As for Copperfish, staff have pledged that the fire "will not be the end" for the business. In a heart-breaking post on social media shortly after, staff said they were "totally devastated" by the fire which followed a successful summer for the business. They also expressed their relief that nobody was hurt in the incident, while also promising that the incident "will not be the end" for them.
"There aren’t many words to describe how we all feel right now," the post read. "Copperfish has been left totally devastated by the fire and completely destroyed. We were on such a high from such an incredible summer to then go to this.
"Of course, first and foremost we are so grateful no-one was hurt. But as we walked through the rubble today and we spoke to each other we know this tragedy will not be the end for us. We are resilient, we have THE best team, we are more then just bricks and mortar. It’s not goodbye but see you later. Take care everyone xox"
Fish Cakes & Ale, Mumbles
Located opposite sister site Cakes & Ale, Fish Cakes & Ale opened on Newton Road in Mumbles in April this year, serving fish 'n chips and drinks. Locals were delighted to see a new independent fish and chip shop open up - but unfortunately, like its slightly older sister Cakes & Ale, a long-running Fish Cakes & Ale was simply not meant to be.
After just nine months of trading, management made the difficult decision to shut up shop earlier this month, citing the "spiralling costs of ingredients and energy" amid the cost of living crisis.
Fish Cakes & Ale manager Doug Dawson, who also previously worked as manager at Cakes & Ale, told WalesOnline earlier this month that the last couple of years had been "pretty rough" for the business. "This year in particular has been quite difficult," he said.
Mr Dawson, 38, said the costs of running the business had "gone through the roof" and had been worsened by the economic impact of the war in Ukraine and Brexit. "The biggest increase has been the energy prices - they are over five times more expensive now than they were when we opened," he said. "Costs [for equipment such as deep-fat fryers, ovens, fridges, freezers and a rumbler] were always going to be a large expenditure, but you can't times those costs by five and expect to be able to swallow that."
GDK (German Doner Kebab), Uplands
In October, popular kebab chain 'German Doner Kebab' ('GDK') decided to close its restaurant in Swansea's Uplands as the company felt the area had "changed significantly" since the eatery first opened there six years ago.
GDK Swansea was Wales' first GDK location and served a wide range of kebabs, wraps and burgers. It was particularly popular with students living locally and also offered takeaway and delivery services. Confirming its closure, a spokesperson said: "Our game-changing kebabs have been a huge hit in Swansea, we love the city and its people, and we thank all of our customers for their loyalty and support. Swansea was one of our earliest restaurants to open in the UK and the footfall and customer landscape in Uplands has changed significantly as we emerge from the pandemic.
"We remain 100 per cent committed to the city and will be back in 2023 with an exciting flagship venue which will feature our new look restaurant and allow us to serve and reach a wider range of customers across Swansea."
Maisies Streetfood and bar, Uplands
Stunning independent restaurant-bar Maisies in Uplands closed down in July as a result of the financial damage caused by the pandemic. Customers were gutted when management at the restaurant, well-loved locally for its crepes, waffles, street food and cocktails, confirmed it would close its doors on July 24, 2022 as the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns had "simply caught up with us".
Co-owner Steve Herbert, who ran the restaurant with his daughter Georgia, said he and his colleagues had explored all options to keep the business going, but unfortunately a stable future for Maisies could not be found.
"I can confirm we are closing," he told WalesOnline at the time. "Quite simply we just can't catch up on the damage from Covid. Our liquidators say thousands of businesses are closing down as Covid has caught up with them. We've been through all the options [but it's not sustainable]. We just can't catch up on the bills that racked up during Covid."
Plus, unfortunately, Maisies was also affected by changes to peoples’ eating habits, partly brought on from the pandemic, Steve said. "We used to have The Crepe Vine [creperie restaurant in Swansea city centre which closed in 2018] and we've watched people going to chains - not for a superior product, but because they feel it's safer," he said. "And there's lots of lovely independent businesses in Uplands - but young people prefer chains."
Nishimura, Bryn Mill
Nishimura restaurant in Bryn Mill closed in November as owner Frank Nishimura decided he wanted to focus on his new restaurant in Mumbles and his new 'Ryugin' Japanese restaurant-bar in Uplands, which opened earlier this month.
Frank told WalesOnline he's grateful for the unwavering support from his customers and always wanted to have a restaurant in the SA2 area - but ultimately decided to close the Brynymor Road restaurant and open one in Uplands Crescent as he felt this area would be a better place to be for his business.
Fans of Nishimura Bryn Mill will be pleased to know the new Ryugin venue serves the same menu customers know and love from Nishimura and is double the size of the old restaurant, with 40 seats instead of 20. Nishimura Mumbles, which filled the old Village Carvery unit, is even bigger. You can recap our coverage of the new Nishimura Mumbles restaurant here.
The Optimist, Uplands
Residents in Uplands were shocked and disappointed when The Optimist announced it was closing down permanently in July. The independent restaurant and bar, on Uplands Crescent, was forced to close during the pandemic due to lockdown regulations - and unfortunately never reopened.
Then-owner of the venue, Ryan Hole said at the time that he and his team had decided to take their business in a "different direction" and focus on their other three venues: The Secret Bar and Kitchen on Swansea beach, The Green Room Bar and Kitchen next to Swansea Arena, and Castellamare Italian restaurant (now renamed 'The Lighthouse') overlooking Bracelet Bay, Mumbles.
"The Optimist has closed down. It hasn't opened since lockdown. We decided to take the business in a different direction, we want unique venues in spectacular locations and we're focusing on The Secret, The Green Room and Castellamare," he said previously. "But the people who worked there have been rehoused [given jobs] in our other venues."
Pippins Cafe, Mumbles
A cute and cosy cafe and coffee shop in Mumbles closed down in November after five years of trading. Pippins Cafe, one of just a handful of dog-friendly coffee shops in Mumbles, closed due to the rising cost of living, bills and the financial repercussions of water damage several years back.
Manager of Pippins, Kim explained the situation to WalesOnline. "Payments just shot up, from our cakes to our kitchen supplies. It's just practically doubling in price. It's hang on since Covid," she said. "We had water damage and everything, then we missed the entirety of the 'Eat Out to Help Out' and we just had no support whatsoever from that. So we've just been kind of spiralling a bit - but we've tried to bring it back. If we actually had some help, we would have had a better chance."
Owner, Pip, added that closing the business was "devastating beyond belief". "We were doing okay, obviously, then Covid came along and then everyone was in trouble," she said. "It is devastating because I know that people use it as a hub. We have a lot of the elderly coming here because, you know, they just want someone to talk to, everyone comes in, they all know each other. We feed a few of them for free, that can't afford it every day, things like that. It's gonna [sic] be a big loss."
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