03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Al Fresco outdoor eating areas for Mumbles agreed by Community Council

MUMBLES is going al fresco after plans for a new outdoor eating area were agreed.

As of Friday, July 17, six food and drinks businesses will serve customers at Southend Gardens.

The area – dubbed Mumbles Independent Food and Drink Gardens – will have picnic tables and umbrellas in a move aimed at boosting the independent hospitality sector.

The six operators are Mor, The Front Room, Ty Cwrw, The Shared Plate, Gower Seafood Hut and The Carlton Hotel.

The eating area will be open seven days a week from 9am to 9pm, with the traders operating according to their current hours.

Mumbles Community Council has been working with landowner Swansea Council to get the scheme up and running, with Myles Langstone – an elected member of both councils – to the fore.

It follows the Welsh Government’s announcement that pubs, restaurants and cafes could open outdoors from July 13.

Matt Heaven, of restaurant Mor, said the six businesses were very grateful to Cllr Langstone and the two councils.

“The provision of outdoor space in Southend Gardens represents a lifeline for independent restaurants and bars,” he said.

“We are lucky to have such fantastic open spaces available in Mumbles and this initiative means we can maintain social distancing and continue to do what we do best – serve great food and drink to our lovely customers.”

The community council has spent £8,300 on the tables and is contributing £2,150 towards security.

Swansea Council has allocated use of the land at the gardens on a temporary basis for use by customers of the participating businesses.

There are public toilets nearby.

Cllr Langstone said local businesses had faced extremely challenging times during the last four months of the coronavirus lockdown.

“In cities across the world from Melbourne to San Francisco public areas are being opened up to help local businesses trade safely,” he said.

“The opening of the Mumbles Independent Food and Drink Gardens is a really positive initiative which can offer Mumbles local businesses a lifeline at the most challenging of times.

He added: “It’s great news that we are now ready to launch and I want to thank both councils for their enthusiasm and willingness to support this initiative.”

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