Work progresses on historic copperworks building that could become new restaurant

The Laboratory Building — which Swansea Council says dates from the second half of the 19th century — is being reconstructed by Swansea-based John Weaver Contractors as part of the council’s ongoing programme to regenerate the Lower Swansea Valley. The project is being supported by funding from the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund.

The council says that once complete, the building — which sits next to the Penderyn Distillery visitor centre — could become a restaurant or be used for a range of other purposes, and that it will begin searching for a tenant shortly.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re saving the Laboratory Building and bringing it back into use.”

Joint deputy leader David Hopkins said the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site was “a key part of Swansea’s heritage” and that the council saw it “becoming a major leisure destination.”

John Weaver Contractors moved in around 16 months ago to stabilise the structure, which had become derelict and unsafe in recent decades, losing much of its roof.

Initial work saw hundreds of red bricks and other masonry items carefully removed from an unsafe 12-metre-high chimney stack, which the council says will be cleaned and reused in the reconstruction.

Expert stonemasons from South Wales-based VaultStone Limited have been carrying out stonework repairs, stabilising old archways and repairing wall cornices.

The project is now moving towards making the building watertight, with a new Welsh slate roof to be installed. New external doors and windows will also be fitted, along with a terrace and level access.

According to the council, the Laboratory Building was historically used to test the quality of copper ore being smelted at the works, and is considered the most architecturally ornate of all the surviving buildings on the site.

Separate archaeological work at the site has recently unearthed what researchers have described as “internationally significant” discoveries, shedding new light on Swansea’s industrial past.

Cabinet member Elliott King said: “Penderyn are there, we’ve saved two historic engine houses and we’ve installed a boating pontoon on the river. Further progress on our Lower Swansea Valley Project will be made this year and next.”

The council says the project is due to be complete later this year, at which point it will be ready for an internal fit-out by whichever business is selected as the end tenant.

“Internationally significant” discoveries shed new light on Swansea’s world-famous industrial past

Archaeologists working on the site, which is set to undergo a major transformation as part of Swansea Council’s regeneration plans, have uncovered machinery, masonry, and furnace networks dating back centuries.

The finds provide an unprecedented window into the evolution of copper manufacture in the Lower Swansea Valley, which once produced an extraordinary proportion of the world’s supply.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“It’s fantastic that our finds at this historic site will be enjoyed and studied for decades to come. I thank the expert archaeologists for their ongoing work to catalogue the exciting discoveries in the area of the Musgrave and Vivian engine houses.

“Work on this location’s main transformation will start soon – the engine houses will be made available for a range of exciting public uses.”

Libby Langlands, assistant project manager at Black Mountains Archaeology, said an 18-month full-scale archaeological excavation had been undertaken to “discover and record complex industrial remains buried on the site of the engine houses and attached rolling mills.”

She added:

“Our work will help inform future building designs and heritage interpretation there.”

The Vivian Engine House was built in 1860, with the Musgrave Engine House following around 50 years later. Among the most important discoveries made at the site are:

• A buried machine pit beneath the Musgrave copper rolls, containing surviving machinery including original balancing gears. These remains provide rare, physical evidence of how large-scale copper rolling machinery operated on the site.
• Evidence for a previously unknown line of copper rolling machinery, likely associated with the earliest phase of the Vivian Engine House. This discovery has been supported by historic plans held in the Musgrave archives, revealing earlier stages of development not previously recognised.
• Substantial masonry walls and structural remains predating the existing engine houses, representing earlier 19th century beam engine and rolling mill buildings on the site. Together with historic maps and drawings, these remains are helping archaeologists reconstruct how the works evolved over time.
• A network of brick-built furnaces and flues used to heat, or “anneal”, copper before rolling, a vital process that softened the metal and prevented it from cracking. These features illustrate the advanced industrial techniques developed in Swansea during its peak period of copper production

Archaeologists say the discoveries are of “international significance”, adding fresh detail to Swansea’s industrial timeline while highlighting the importance of preserving and interpreting the site for future generations.

The Musgrave Engine — the only example of its kind in the world still in its original location — is a nationally significant scheduled monument. Alongside the Grade II‑listed pair of engine houses, it forms a key part of the heritage now being better understood through this detailed archaeological work.

Thousands of photographs have been captured as part of a high-tech 3D imaging programme, allowing archaeologists to create highly accurate digital models of the site’s features. This will help historians interpret the finds long after physical work on the site has finished.

All archaeological reports, surveys, plans, drawings and photographs will be archived in the National Monuments Record, curated by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and the Historic Environment Record curated on behalf of the Welsh unitary authorities for anyone to access.

Dr Kate Roberts, chief executive of Cadw, said:

“These extraordinary discoveries at Hafod Morfa remind us why Swansea’s copper industry holds such an important place in world history. Cadw has been proud to work alongside Swansea Council and our partners over several years to breathe new life into this remarkable site, taking buildings like the Powerhouse, Weigh Bridge and Rolling Mill off the Buildings at Risk Register and securing their future.

“The archaeological work now being revealed at the Musgrave and Vivian Engine Sheds demonstrates what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. By working together, we are ensuring that these historically significant remains are properly recorded and protected, while creating spaces that future generations can enjoy and learn from.”

Progress is continuing across the wider former copperworks site, with new additions set to complement the Penderyn whisky base, including the revamp of an historic laboratory building, the installation of two additional River Tawe pontoons, and the reinstatement of the historic Bascule Bridge.

The council secured £20m in Local Regeneration Fund from the UK Government to support work on parts of its Lower Swansea Valley work.

New artist’s impression reveals dramatic transformation planned for Swansea’s Civic Centre site

The image forms part of a wider update from the developer, which is working with the council on seven major regeneration sites across Swansea, including the Civic Centre, Porth Copr (formerly the St David’s car park site) and the Hafod Morfa Copperworks.

Urban Splash says it will showcase the Civic Centre proposals at a public consultation event at Y Storfa on 28–29 January, inviting residents to view the plans and give feedback.

A new waterfront district where ‘the city meets the beach’

On its website, the developer describes the Civic Centre site as the future “City Waterfront” — a new district centred around a reinvented and repurposed Civic Centre building.

The vision includes up to 600 homes, 150,000 sq ft of commercial space, and a mix of cafes, bars, shops and leisure uses spilling out towards the sweeping curve of Swansea Bay. Apartments, workspace, an aquarium, hotel and events space also feature in the early concept.

The site sits at the end of Ffordd I’r Môr (“Route to the Sea”), the new pedestrian link connecting the city centre and Swansea Arena directly to the beach.

Hafod Morfa Copperworks: heritage meets leisure

Urban Splash has also published updated material for the Hafod Morfa Copperworks, where Swansea Council and the developer are preparing a new spatial framework for the historic riverside site.

The plan outlines opportunities for a mix of commercial and residential uses alongside the major public and private investment already underway. Levelling Up funding has supported the restoration of heritage buildings and the opening of the Penderyn Distillery and Visitor Centre, with the wider vision blending “old and new, action and relaxation”.

Porth Copr: new offices, learning space and green public realm

The St David’s car park site — now branded Porth Copr — is being promoted as a modern office and learning campus in the heart of the city centre.

Designed by leading UK architects, the scheme proposes 300,000 sq ft of Grade A office and mixed‑use commercial space, arranged around new green public realm overlooking a historic church. Space for education providers, creative industries, cafes and restaurants forms part of the mix, all within a short walk of the beach and Swansea Arena.

Urban Splash says the seven sites it is working on represent a long‑term opportunity to reshape key parts of Swansea, with early‑stage cabinet approval already secured for more than 150 homes and commercial space in St Thomas.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea Council provide update on several major schemes
The latest progress on key regeneration projects including new offices, a public sector hub and a city‑centre hotel.

Plans unveiled for 150‑home riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas
Early proposals for a major new residential community on the east side of the River Tawe.

Site investigation works to start on new city office development
Preparatory work begins on one of Swansea’s next big commercial schemes.

Business leader says city’s regeneration shows Swansea is “serious about growth”
A leading voice in the business community reacts to the scale of ongoing investment.

New trail launched on Tawe Trails history app

The latest addition — an audio‑only Tawe navigation trail — has been created for passengers on the popular Copper Jack River Cruise, offering a guided journey up and down the River Tawe packed with stories from the city’s industrial past.

It joins six other trails already available, covering Hafod Morfa Copperworks, White Rock, Parc Llewelyn, Swansea Canal at Clydach, Morriston Park and the wider Lower Swansea Valley.

The app, developed by Swansea Council’s regeneration team and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, features interactive maps, waypoint pins, high‑quality images, satellite and street views, selfie postcard frames, accessibility settings and offline functionality. Content is available in English and Welsh, including audio narration.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis‑Davies said it was encouraging to see more than 700 downloads so far, with that figure expected to rise over the school holidays.

“The Lower Swansea Valley was at the heart of the copper industry that helped spread Swansea’s name across the world,” he said. “Thanks to the app, people will learn that Swansea’s story is Britain’s story — and we’re sharing it in the most modern way.”

The newest trail also includes accessibility and safety advice, along with background on historic sites such as Lougher Castle, Oxwich Castle, Weobley Castle and Pennard Castle.

The Tawe Trails app is free to download from the iTunes Store and Google Play.

#app #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #Clydach #CopperJack #HafodMorfaCopperworks #history #MorristonPark #ParcLlewelyn #RiverTawe #SwanseaCanal #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaValley #TaweTrails #WhiteRock

Star-studded midsummer celebration of Welsh excellence held at Swansea’s copperworks distillery

Katherine Jenkins OBE welcomed an elite gathering of celebrities and VIP’s last night for an exclusive midsummer soirée at the Copperworks Distillery in Swansea. The glamorous evening showcased the very best of Welsh excellence, with a bespoke menu crafted by National Chef of Wales Sam Everton and rising star Calum Smith, Junior Chef of Wales.

Timed perfectly between World Gin Day (14 June) and International Martini Day (21 June), the event paid homage to Wales’s award-winning spirits, Cygnet Gin and Penderyn, with cocktails expertly paired to a three-course feast.

With Jenkins also serving as ambassador for the upcoming World Chef Expo 2026 in Newport, the night offered a tantalising glimpse into Wales’s growing influence on the global gastronomic stage, blending heritage, innovation, and world-class distilling in a celebration of national pride.

Welsh Luminaries Max Boyce, Sir Karl Jenkins and Lady Carol Jenkins, Roy Noble OBE, Owain Wyn Evans, Rhodri & Lucy Owen and David Mahoney, joined industry leaders for an unforgettable evening at Swansea’s Copperworks. Arwyn Watkins OBE, President of the Culinary Association of Wales, officially introduced the culinary stars of the night, while Penderyn CEO Stephen Davies unlocked the doors to the iconic Barrel Warehouse, setting the stage for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Welsh craftsmanship, culture, and cuisine.

Katherine said: “Croeso – a very warm welcome to you all.  It is both an honour and a joy to welcome you this evening to the beautifully restored Copperworks Distillery here in the heart of Swansea — a place steeped in history, and now, reborn as a beacon of modern Welsh craftsmanship.

Tonight, we gather not simply for a celebration, but for a moment – a moment that connects the past with the future, tradition with innovation, and heritage with ambition.  This setting is no accident. Once the industrial heartbeat of the world’s copper trade, this very site forged connections across continents. And now, through the visionary partnership between Penderyn and Cygnet Gin, it is forging something new — a legacy of excellence in Welsh spirits, sustainability, and storytelling.”

Cygnet Gin’s move earlier this year to the meticulously restored Copperworks Distillery in Swansea signalled more than a new home for the brand — it marked a powerful moment in the revival of Welsh craftsmanship. Once the epicentre of the global copper trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Copperworks now stands as a symbol of innovation rooted in heritage, blending luxury, sustainability, and history under one roof.

In a landmark partnership with Penderyn, Cygnet will unveil the Cygnet Gin Experience in July 2025 — an immersive journey through botanical selection, artisanal distillation, and guided tastings. The new attraction forms part of a broader vision to elevate the distillery as a destination for discerning gin enthusiasts and celebrate the artistry behind Wales’s rising spirits industry.

#CygnetDistillery #CygnetGin #HafodMorfaCopperworks #KarlJenkins #KatherineJenkins #LucyOwen #MaxBoyce #OwainWynEvans #PenderynDistillery #RhodriOwen #RoyNoble #Swansea

Welsh business chosen to bring new life to Swansea heritage buildings

South Wales-based Andrew Scott Ltd plans to start work on site this year in a Swansea Council scheme to transform the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses, and the V&S No.1 Locomotive shed.

Over the coming few months, the company will lead on the final stages of design for the project, on the site of the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks.

Andrew Scott – which dates back more than 150 years and has worked on a wide range of projects – was selected in a competitive tender process.

Swansea schemes it has previously worked on include the construction of the new Gorseinon Primary School, the construction of Mumbles’ Marks & Spencer Foodhall and the build and renovation of the city centre’s grade two listed Alex Building for the University of Wales Trinity St David. They worked on Technium 1 and the Ethos Building in SA1.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We’re delighted to have Andrew Scott on board for the exciting transformation of these copperworks buildings.

“It’s a company with a track record in excellence and they’ll do a great job on helping us to regenerate the Lower Swansea Valley.

“This is an exciting time for that area as we and others plan to invest tens of millions of pounds there.

“Our £1bn regeneration of Swansea continues at pace!”

A planning application for a major outdoor leisure destination by operator Skyline has been approved for land close to the engine sheds and on Kilvey Hill.

Mark Bowen, managing director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said: “As one of Wales’s oldest independent construction companies, we’re proud to be working alongside Swansea Council on the Lower Swansea Valley project to restore and transform key parts of the historic Hafod-Morfa Copperworks.

“As a Swansea-based company, we profoundly appreciate that this iconic site reflects the city’s rich industrial heritage.

“By regenerating these significant buildings, we’re helping to celebrate local identity, strengthen community ties, and ensure future generations can enjoy and learn from this unique part of Swansea’s story.”

The engine houses form an integral part of Swansea’s industrial heritage. The council wants to bring them back into use to bring pleasure to thousands and new opportunities.

The copperworks of past centuries were key to the growth of Swansea, playing a crucial role as major industry over around 300 years. The industry declined but some of its buildings and other structures remain.

The plan now is to redevelop and restore buildings for new uses and to improve access to them.

Andrew Scott will make the nearby V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed, a listed building that served the copperworks, safe and watertight. It’s currently dilapidated.

The engine houses – both listed buildings – will, in future, be suitable for a range of uses, including restaurants and cafes, exhibition-style space and shops.

The council saved the two engine houses from ongoing decay several years ago. A new river pontoon was added nearby.

The Musgrave structure, built around 1910, contains rare scheduled ancient monument the Musgrave Engine, the UK’s only one of its kind remaining in its original location.

In future, the engine’s external elements will have a covered shelter to enable the machinery’s future restoration and to help tell the story of local archaeology.

The Vivian Engine House, built in 1860, will feature a mezzanine floor. A new building will link the two engine houses. There’ll be an outdoor terrace area.

Swansea Council is working on a series of schemes in the River Tawe corridor. The schemes are being funded with part of £20m funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up scheme.

The council’s Lower Swansea Valley project, with a close focus on the site of the copperworks, aims to result in more wealth and greater local connectivity.

#AndrewScottLtd #construction #HafodMorfaCopperworks #heritage #MusgraveEngine #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #VivianEngineHouse

Council leaders briefed on plan for copperworks heritage buildings

They were given a tour of the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses at the site of the former Hafod Morfa Copperworks.

Both have listed status – and there’s planning permission for both to be transformed for a range of uses, including restaurants, cafes, exhibition-style space and shops.

Swansea Council says it wants to save and transform the disused structures as part of its work to bring new life to the Lower Swansea Valley.

It’s part of the council-driven £1bn regeneration of Swansea which has already seen the saving and transformation of other heritage structures including the Palace Theatre building, Albert Hall and Hafod Morfa Copperworks powerhouse.

After the tour, led by council regeneration officers, council leader Rob Stewart said: “The engine houses are key to Swansea’s industrial heritage. We now want them to bring pleasure to thousands – and new opportunities.

“This is an exciting time for the Lower Swansea Valley as we and others plan to invest tens of millions of pounds in that area.”

The council saved the two engine houses from ongoing decay several years ago. A river pontoon was added nearby.

The Musgrave structure, built around 1910 and a scheduled ancient monument, contains the rare Musgrave Engine, the UK’s only one of its kind remaining in its original location.

The Vivian Engine House was built in 1860.

A new building would link the engine houses. There’d be an outdoor terrace area.

The council say that two neighbouring tall chimneys would be preserved and there’d be expert surveys of trees and other biodiversity.

Cabinet members also visited the neighbouring V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed, another listed building that served the copperworks. Planning permission is in place to make this dilapidated historic structure safe and watertight.

The council is working on a series of schemes in the River Tawe corridor. Funding sources include part of a £20m investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up scheme.

Businesses already planning big futures at the copperworks site include Penderyn Whisky, which opened there two years ago, and Skyline which has planning permission for a major outdoor leisure attraction linking Kilvey Hill and Landore.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#CllrRobStewart #Hafod #HafodMorfaCopperworks #heritage #MusgraveEngine #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #VivianEngineHouse

Historic building set to be saved by council and Swansea firm

The company secured the contract to renovate the historic structure after Swansea Council advertised the opportunity.

The work, expected to take around 16 months, will see the building made suitable for a restaurant or a number of other possible uses.

The building is thought to date from the second half of the 1800s, with the planned work being supported by the UK Government’s Levelling-Up Fund.

A range of other Lower Swansea Valley schemes funded by Levelling-Up are due to follow.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said:

“We’re saving the Laboratory Building and bringing it back into use – and we’re delighted that a Swansea business employing local people will undertake the construction work.

“The copperworks site is a key part of Swansea’s heritage and we see it becoming a major leisure destination.

“We’ve saved two nearby historic engine houses for future redevelopment and use, and we’ve installed a boating pontoon on the River Tawe nearby. Significant progress on our Lower Swansea Valley Project will be made this year and next.”

Work on the Laboratory Building will include stabilising the building, sensitively refurbishing it, and making it watertight and usable. There’ll be a new Welsh slate roof, new external doors and windows, a terrace and level access to the building making it accessible to all.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“This project forms part of an investment worth over £1bn in Swansea that’s transforming our city into one of the UK’s very best places to live, work, study, enjoy and visit.

“It’s part of our commitment to restore and celebrate Swansea’s rich heritage, while boosting the local economy and creating more jobs and opportunities for local people.”

The council engaged GWP Architecture to undertake designs. As a restaurant it could seat more than 100 diners.  The council will deliver the project with Coreus Group.

John Weaver Contractors is a family firm with over a century of construction experience.

Heritage projects it has worked on include the city’s Glynn Vivian Gallery and Brangwyn Hall, plus Caerphilly Castle, Hay Castle and Port Talbot’s Margam Castle.

Terry Edwards, Managing Director of John Weaver, said:

“We’re delighted to be selected as the contractor rejuvenate the Laboratory Building.

“Our in-house artisan trades personnel look forward to working with the local community.

“We pride ourselves in delivering quality conservation projects for future generations to enjoy for many years to come.”

In the copperworks’ heyday, copper ore from around the world was smelted at the Swansea site, putting the area at the centre of a global web of copper trading connections.

The Laboratory Building was probably used to test the quality of copper ore coming into the copperworks that helped put Swansea on the world’s industrial map.

It’s architecturally the most ornate of all the surviving buildings on the copperworks site, with many classical features.

However, it became derelict and unsafe in recent years, losing much of its roof.

The two and three-storey structure, with ornate windows and a fine stone doorcase, stands next to the Morfa Gates, once a key copperworks entrance.

The planning and listed building consent approval it has means that the council can now repair and enhance the structure’s existing fabric and fully repair and refurbish of the exterior and key internal elements.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

#HafodMorfaCopperworks #Landore #restoration #SwanseaCouncil

Swansea Council wants to save and transform the disused structures as part of its work to bring new life to the Lower Swansea Valley.

It’s all part of the council-driven £1bn regeneration of Swansea which has already seen the saving and transformation of other heritage structures including the Palace Theatre building, Albert Hall and Hafod Morfa Copperworks powerhouse.

Two planning applications have just been submitted by the council for the copperworks’ Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses, and for the V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed. All three have listed status.

The applications state: “The engine houses form an integral part of Swansea’s industrial heritage. The council wishes to bring them back into use.

“Also, the council wishes to undertake restoration works to the loco shed – and eventually see it brought back into meaningful use.”

The copperworks of past centuries were key to the growth of Swansea, playing a crucial role as major industry over around 300 years. The industry declined but some of its buildings and other structures remain. 

The plan now is to redevelop and restore buildings for new uses and to improve access to them. There would also be work to preserve two tall neighbouring chimneys.  

The council saved the two engine houses from ongoing decay several years ago. A new river pontoon was added nearby.

The Musgrave structure, built around 1910 and a scheduled ancient monument, contains the rare Musgrave Engine, the UK’s only one of its kind remaining in its original location. 

Plans show that the engine’s external elements would have a covered shelter to enable the machinery’s future restoration.

The plans show that the Vivian Engine House, built in 1860, would feature a mezzanine floor. 

A new building would link the two engine houses. There’d be an outdoor terrace area. 

The engine houses would, in future, be suitable for a range of uses, including restaurants and cafes, exhibition-style space and shops.

The loco shed – also dating from the 1800s – was possibly last used around 1980 as a locomotive shed at the former copperworks. 

Its planning application is for the restoration and reconstruction of the existing building which has become structurally damaged through its many years of disuse. 

There’d be work on the walls, roof and doors. There’d be a range of possible future uses.

Other associated works for the three structures, should planning permission be granted, would include new access routes from the copperworks site, sustainable new drainage, and landscaping.

There’d be expert surveys of trees and other biodiversity.

Public feedback is now welcome on the plans.

Swansea Council is working on a series of schemes in the River Tawe corridor, including these three buildings. 

The schemes are being funded with £20m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up scheme.

The Lower Swansea Valley project, with a close focus on the site of the copperworks, aims to result in more wealth and greater local connectivity. 

It’ll help tell the story of Swansea’s rich industrial legacy to new generations.

Consultants for the council’s copperworks plans are the South Wales team of widely respected Wardell Armstrong.

Applications online:

• Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses – www.bit.ly/VivMusPlan 
• V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed – www.bit.ly/LocoPlan  

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/17/exciting-new-plans-revealed-for-more-swansea-heritage-buildings/

#HafodMorfaCopperworks #SwanseaCouncil #VivianEngineHouse