UPLANDS: Swansea’s beloved Truffle restaurant put up for sale as owners step back after nine years to focus on family

One of Swansea’s most-loved independent restaurants has been put up for sale — with the couple who built it from scratch saying the time has come to hand it on to new owners and focus on their young family.

Truffle, on King Edwards Road in Uplands, has been run by chef Jonathan Cox and front-of-house manager Jodie Barlow-Haynes since 2017. Over nine years, the pair have built the restaurant into one of the city’s most respected independent eateries, with a 4.8-star rating across major review platforms and a loyal customer base that returns again and again.

Known for its French, Welsh and contemporary influences, Truffle has earned a reputation for freshly made dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The fully licensed restaurant also operates a popular bring-your-own drinks policy — a combination that has helped it carve out a distinctive identity in a competitive market.

Jonathan and Jodie said in a joint statement: “Truffle has been our passion for many years. We are incredibly proud of how the business has grown, with loyal customers who return time and again, and the reputation we’ve built for our service and quality food.”

They added: “We will be sad to leave our successful business but have decided to make a lifestyle change to be able to spend more quality time with our young family. We hope the next owners will take Truffle forward into its next exciting chapter.”

The restaurant is being marketed as a leasehold sale with an asking price of £75,000 by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co, which describes it as “an attractive and profitable restaurant in a popular part of the city.”

Graeme Clifford, the business agent handling the sale, said there were plenty of opportunities for a new owner to build on what Jonathan and Jodie have created. “There are plenty of opportunities for a new owner to expand the business including broadening the food offer, introducing more covers, and extending the opening hours,” he said, adding that the site could suit new entrants, experienced restaurateurs or small multi-site operators.

The sale comes at a difficult time for the hospitality sector across the region. In recent months, Swansea Bay News has reported on a series of restaurant closures, including the much-loved Gorseinon restaurant that shut after years of loyal custom, and two Llanelli restaurants closing on the same day. It is also not the first time an Uplands restaurant has come onto the market in recent years.

Truffle’s owners are at pains to point out that this is not a closure — the restaurant remains open and is continuing to trade while a buyer is sought.

For those interested in taking on the business, full details are available through Christie & Co at christie.com.

Uplands has long been one of Swansea’s most vibrant food and culture neighbourhoods, home to a mix of independent restaurants, cafes, bars and the weekly Uplands Market. The area’s loyal community of regulars and strong footfall make it one of the city’s most attractive locations for independent hospitality businesses.

Truffle’s sale represents the end of an era for many regulars — but also an opportunity for a new operator to take on a restaurant with strong foundations, a proven reputation and an established and loyal following.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Heartbreak for diners as popular Gorseinon restaurant closes its doors
One of a series of recent restaurant closures across the region.

Two much-loved Llanelli restaurants close on the same day as customers share heartbreak
Further closures in the hospitality sector across the region.

Iconic Swansea breakfast venue Uplands Diner put up for sale
Another Uplands institution that has previously come onto the market.

Uplands Market highlighted in new pedestrian pound report
The wider story of Uplands as one of Swansea’s most vibrant independent food and culture destinations.

Sale of iconic Swansea hotel comes amid major regeneration plans for seafront

The 121-bedroom hotel, which was built in 1989 as part of the first wave of the Maritime Quarter’s regeneration, is being marketed for the first time by specialist property adviser Christie & Co.

The sale comes as Swansea Council pushes forward with ambitious plans to redevelop the adjacent Civic Centre site, which includes the potential for a new hotel. Another new hotel is also proposed for a site next to the Swansea Arena and LC, with Swansea Council actively marketing the opportunity for an operator to build and run a 150-bedroom hotel with a rooftop bar on land between the two venues.

The Delta Hotels by Marriott has been a fixture of the Swansea cityscape since the late 1980s, when the former South Dock was transformed into the residential and leisure area seen today. It has a long history of hosting celebrities, including Swansea-born actress Catherine Zeta Jones and her husband Michael Douglas in 2001, and has been the go-to base for numerous visiting sports teams.

The hotel underwent a significant, multi-million pound refurbishment which was completed in 2023 and has operated under a new franchise agreement since May 2025.

Jeremy Jones, Head of Brokerage – Hotels at Christie & Co, said the recent development in the Swansea region had increased demand for high-quality hotel accommodation.

He commented: “The Swansea region has undergone substantial development in recent years across the commercial and educational sectors. This has increased demand for high quality hotel accommodation which the Delta Hotels Swansea meets.”

The sale is of the long leasehold for an undisclosed sum. The hotel itself is not closing — Delta Hotels by Marriott will continue to operate under its franchise agreement with any new owner. The sale presents a new chapter for the building as the area around it prepares for another wave of major transformation, including the potential for new competitors in the local hotel market.

Porthcawl dementia care home sold for first time in 36 years

Pinehurst Rest Home, a boutique residential dementia care home in Porthcawl, has been sold for the first time in its 36-year history.

The home, which is registered for up to 11 residents, was established in 1989 by Patricia Attwood and passed to her daughter, Alexandra Crane, in 2004. Ms Crane has now decided to sell the business and retire.

Following a confidential sales process, the home has been sold to Mani Neelamegan and Dr Muthuvairavan, an experienced operator with two other homes in South Wales, Manorleigh House and Fairleigh House.

Alexandra Crane, the former owner, said: “I am incredibly proud to have followed in my mum’s footsteps and continued her legacy of compassion, respect, dedication, and commitment to every resident who has lived here. I am confident that the new owners are equally committed to ensuring the home continues to thrive, while preserving the small, homely environment that has always made Pinehurst special.”

New owner Mani Neelamegan commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Pinehurst Rest Home into our family of care homes. Pinehurst has a strong reputation within the Porthcawl community, and we are committed to building on the excellent foundations already in place. Our focus has always been on providing compassionate, person-centred care in a safe and homely environment.”

The sale was handled by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co, with funding sourced through Christie Finance. The sale price was undisclosed.

Historic Pembrey pumphouse up for sale for £1.25m

The Old Pump House, which comes with planning permission for holiday lets and luxury lodges, is being marketed by specialist agents, Christie & Co.

Located on Factory Road in Pembrey, on the outskirts of the coastal Pembrey Country Park, Christie & Co say the the 4.6 acre site presents an opportunity for an operator to establish a brand-new holiday let and lodge business. Planning permission is already in place to create 16 holiday lets within the Old Pump House building, and 23 luxury lodges on the site.

Gabriela Williams, Business Agent at Christie & Co, is managing the sale and commented, “Demand for holiday sites is currently strong across the market. This is an excellent opportunity for an existing operator to expand, or a new-to-sector operator to build a bespoke holiday lodge and let business, in a very desirable coastal location, with passing traffic of over 400,000 visitors to Pembrey Country Park a year.”

The former pump-house and surrounding land was originally built Circa 1937-39 and was working until 2000. It was used to store and pump clean water to Swiss Valley Reservoir, when the demand for water in Llanelli required it to do so.

#Carmarthenshire #ChristieCo #Pembrey #PembreyCountryPark #Property

Closed Swansea Vale day nursery reopens after sale to local award-winning operator

The former Wishes Day Nursery at Central Business Park in Swansea Vale formerly trading as a 41-place day nursery between 2009 and 2023.

After a sale through specialist estate agents, Christie & Co, a new lease was purchased by Ty Enfys Limited, an award-winning day nursery group with one other setting in Briton Ferry. 

Kaela Matthews, Owner and Manager at Ty Enfys Limited, said: “We found this unit after an awful flood in our previous setting where we had to leave everything behind. We have gutted and re-decorated every room at the setting – now to be known as Ty Enfys Nursery. It benefits from plenty of parking and is easily accessible and we have really enjoyed the outdoor environment. As a nursery group, we have won several awards in the past and we hope to continue our award-winning care from our new premises.”

Rachel Godwin, Business Agent for Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, said: “I was delighted to help Kaela Matthews of Ty Enfys Nursery with the opening of this setting. I am sure that this nursery will be well received locally and will prove to be a successful childcare setting.”

The new Ty Enfys day nursery had an official grand-opening on 31 March 2025.

#Business #childCare #ChristieCo #DayNursery #Swansea #SwanseaVale