Neath firm crowned UK’s Best Builder for £10m Palace Theatre transformation

R & M Williams picked up the Overall Master Builder of the Year 2025 title at the Federation of Master Builders’ national awards in Manchester last night (Friday 26 September). The firm also won the award for Best Commercial or Public Sector Project.

The recognition comes for its work on the Grade II‑listed Palace Theatre on Swansea’s High Street, which has been reborn as a Grade A office and events space with capacity for more than 300 people. Managed by Tramshed Tech, the building is now a centrepiece of the city’s £1bn regeneration programme.

Heritage saved, future secured

Built in 1888, the Palace Theatre had stood derelict for 20 years before the £10m project began. Working with Cadw and conservation specialists, R & M Williams retained original features such as iron balustrades and reinstated lost elements including the conical roof and canopies, while installing modern safety and access measures.

Judges praised the scheme as a landmark example of public and private sector collaboration, with 87% of the supply chain spend staying in Wales and nearly 800 weeks of training and apprenticeships delivered during the build.

History of Swansea’s Palace Theatre

• 1888: Opened as The Pavilion Theatre of Varieties, designed by Bucknall & Jennings on a distinctive wedge‑shaped site at the top of High Street.
• 1890s–1900s: Renamed The Empire, then The Palace Theatre of Varieties. Hosted stars including Marie Lloyd, Dan Leno and a young Charlie Chaplin.
• Early 20th century: Became the People’s Bioscope Palace, one of the first venues in Wales to show moving pictures. Survived the WWII Blitz that destroyed much of Swansea city centre.
• 1960: Sir Anthony Hopkins made his first professional stage appearance here with Swansea Little Theatre.
• Later years: Operated as a cinema, bingo hall, nightclub and gay club before closing in 2006. The building then stood derelict for nearly two decades.
• 2019: Suffered fire damage in an arson attack, intensifying calls for restoration.
• 2021–2024: Swansea Council led a £10m restoration, working with conservation specialists to preserve historic features while creating modern office and events space.
• 2025: The Palace Theatre wins national acclaim, with Neath‑based R & M Williams crowned UK Master Builder of the Year for the project.

Sources: Swansea Council, Federation of Master Builders, Palace Theatre archives, Wikipedia[1], Cinema Treasures[2].

“A landmark for Welsh building”

Ifan Glyn, Director of FMB Cymru, said:

“R & M Williams’ restoration of Swansea’s Palace Theatre is a landmark for Welsh building, protecting heritage whilst delivering modern spaces for community benefit. It shows the best of what Welsh builders are capable of when given the chance.”

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, added:

“To take on such a challenging, high‑profile build and succeed in every respect makes them worthy winners of the Overall Master Builder title.”

Industry backdrop

The award comes at a time when the construction sector in Wales is under pressure. ONS figures show housing completions fell by 16% in the first quarter of 2025, while the FMB’s latest survey found 76% of Welsh firms struggling to recruit skilled tradespeople and 87% facing rising material costs.

Despite these challenges, workloads and enquiries are rising, with demand particularly strong for home improvement and major works. The FMB says projects like the Palace Theatre show the resilience and civic value of small and medium‑sized builders.

Local pride

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, has previously described the Palace Theatre’s revival as a “flagship” of the city’s regeneration, bringing new life to a landmark once left to decay.

The Master Builder Awards, hosted by TV presenter Nick Knowles, are regarded as the Oscars of the building industry.

Related Palace Theatre stories

New award joy for Palace Theatre transformation
The Palace’s restoration picked up the regeneration & conservation prize at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards 2025, adding to its growing list of honours.

Tramshed Tech Swansea expands at Palace Theatre
The business hub has created three new jobs as it grows its footprint in the restored landmark, supporting Swansea’s £1bn regeneration programme.

Swansea’s Palace Theatre reopens with new name and purpose
After a three‑year, £10m restoration, the 1888 theatre has reopened as a modern workspace and events venue, preserving its heritage while powering city‑centre regeneration.

#CllrRobStewart #construction #FederationOfMasterBuilders #FMBCymru #heritage #HighStreet #MasterBuilder #Neath #PalaceTheatre #RMWilliams #restoration #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #trades #TramshedTech

Tramshed Tech Swansea expands at Palace Theatre — three new jobs created as landmark regeneration gathers pace

Just eight months after reopening in Swansea’s restored Palace Theatre, Tramshed Tech is expanding its team and operations — marking a new chapter in the building’s transformation from derelict landmark to thriving business hub.

The tech-focused coworking network, which launched its Swansea site in November 2024, has announced three new job opportunities to support growing demand for workspace, events and community programmes. The roles include a Community Manager, Community Executive, and Barista for the ground-floor Da coffee shop, which has already made headlines for its artisanal matcha and locally sourced menu.

The recruitment drive follows a surge in membership and public engagement, with the five-storey venue now hosting regular networking events, digital skills workshops, and business support programmes — all set within a Grade II-listed building that once welcomed stars like Laurel and Hardy.

From derelict to award-winning

The Palace Theatre’s rebirth has been widely celebrated, earning a national heritage award earlier this year for its sensitive restoration and community impact. The £4.9 million project, backed by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government, preserved key architectural features while adapting the space for modern use — including flexible offices, meeting rooms, and a stage repurposed as an event venue.

Council leader Rob Stewart said Tramshed Tech’s success shows how heritage-led regeneration can deliver real economic benefits:

“They’ve created a dynamic business environment that’s attracting entrepreneurs and supporting local talent, while preserving this magnificent historical building for future generations.”

Skills and support

Tramshed Tech Swansea also runs the Skills for Swansea programme, offering free half-day digital training sessions funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Topics include AI, programming, data handling and digital marketing — helping address the region’s skills gap and support career development.

CEO Louise Harris said the response from Swansea’s business community has been “incredibly positive,” adding:

“The Palace Theatre is becoming exactly the collaborative hub we envisioned — where Swansea’s rich heritage meets its bright entrepreneurial future.”

Apply now

All three roles are now open for applications:

• Community Manager
• Community Executive
• Barista – Da Coffee Shop

Interested candidates can email [email protected] for more information.

Related stories on Palace Theatre and Swansea regeneration

New award joy for Palace Theatre transformation
Published May 2025: Swansea’s Palace Theatre restoration wins national heritage award for its sensitive design and community impact, celebrating the building’s rebirth as a business and cultural hub.

Artisanal matcha heads to Swansea Palace’s Da Coffee Shop
Published April 2025: Da Coffee Shop at the Palace Theatre adds artisanal matcha to its menu, blending local flavours with global trends in a space that’s open to the public and business community alike.

Swansea’s Palace Theatre reopens with new name and purpose after restoration
Published November 2024: The Grade II-listed Palace Theatre reopens as Tramshed Tech Swansea, following a £4.9m restoration that preserves its heritage while creating modern workspace and event facilities.

Swansea’s Palace Theatre building set to reopen as Tramshed Tech’s latest business hub
Published October 2024: Tramshed Tech confirms plans to open its fourth Welsh location in Swansea’s Palace Theatre, bringing coworking, tech support and community programmes to the High Street.

#Business #businessHub #community #DaCoffeeShop #jobs #PalaceTheatre #SkillsForSwansea #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaJobs #TramshedTech #UKSharedProsperityFund

Tramshed Tech co-founder appointed to bead business voice in South West Wales

The SWW CJC, established in 2022, brings together the leaders of Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea Councils, alongside representatives from the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authorities. Its mission is to drive regional prosperity through joined-up planning in transport, energy, and economic development.

As Chair, Mark will lead a team of private sector experts tasked with ensuring that business insight shapes regional decision-making. His appointment follows the recent opening of Tramshed Tech’s new Swansea base in the restored Palace Theatre, a landmark project blending heritage with innovation.

Mark said:

“The region has enormous potential.

I look forward to working with partners to champion innovation, attract investment and support sustainable growth. Our advisory board will help South West Wales become more prosperous, greener and better connected.”

Tramshed Tech operates across five strategic locations in Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, and Barry, offering co-working spaces, private offices, and business support programmes. The organisation works with partners including the British Business Bank, Barclays Eagle Labs, and the Welsh Government to deliver skills training and growth support for emerging tech and creative firms.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Chair of the SWW CJC, welcomed the appointment:

“Mark’s leadership will be invaluable. His experience and insight will help ensure South West Wales thrives for the benefit of both its businesses and communities in a rapidly changing economic landscape.”

The Private Sector Advisory Board is expected to play a key role in shaping the region’s future — offering strategic advice on infrastructure, investment, and innovation.

#CllrRobStewart #CorporateJointCommitteeForSouthWestWales #PalaceTheatre #Swansea #TramshedTech

New award joy for Palace Theatre transformation

The Palace’s transformation took the regeneration & conservation prize in the Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) Awards 2025.

CEW is the united voice of the Welsh built environment sector, representing each part of its supply chain.

The Palace‘s latest honour follows it winning the commercial/public sector prize in this year’s Federation of Master Builders Cymru Master Builder Awards.

The council-driven project revitalised the Grade Two listed Palace into a modern workspace, overcoming significant dereliction & pandemic-related challenges. 

The building’s meticulous restoration ensured the preservation of many historic features, & success stemmed from strong stakeholder relationships in this transformative project for Swansea’s ongoing £1bn regeneration.

The CEW judges recognised the innovative way in which the council & project team had been able to save a derelict building on the brink of collapse.

They were impressed that the team had restore – and shone a light on – many of the theatre’s original features and had enabled a modern use as grade A office space.

The scheme was part funded by £6.9m of Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant funding, £1.3m of grant funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and by Swansea Council.

The building is now managed by Welsh business Tramshed Tech, nurturing a new generation of talent by offering collaborative workspaces and business growth. 

#awards #construction #ConstructionExcellenceInWales #PalaceTheatre #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TramshedTech

Artisanal matcha heads to Swansea Palace’s ‘Da’ coffee shop

With matcha consumption in the UK up 200% since 2023, Independent coffee shop ‘Da’ is launching a new ‘matcha menu’ featuring 100% ceremonial grade matcha tea.

After opening in 2023 in Cardiff’s Central Square, the well-loved coffee shop recently opened its second outlet in the newly renovated Swansea Palace on the city’s High Street. Da say that the Swansea location focuses on perfecting its drinks offering as the newest coffee shop in town.

With consumers increasingly seeking healthier alternatives to traditional coffee drinks, Da’s timing couldn’t be better. This new matcha menu highlights what Da does best, creating quality drinks using local ingredients and making items from scratch rather than using pre-made mixes. 

What makes Da different from your typical coffee shop isn’t just their Coaltown Coffee (roasted just up the road in Ammanford), but how they make the majority of their items from scratch. Now, they’re bringing this same approach to matcha, the Japanese green tea powder that has become a global wellness sensation known for its antioxidant properties and natural energy boost without the jitters often associated with coffee. 

“At Da, our name means ‘good’ in Welsh, but our philosophy is about pursuing excellence in everything we create,” says Dylan, Head Chef at Da Cardiff. “We could easily buy pre-made syrups like everyone else, but that’s not what we’re about. We take the time to craft our own syrups from Welsh fruit using a traditional Korean technique called ‘cheong.’ This method partially ferments the fruit as sugar levels increase to stop the fermentation process, with no heat applied to keep the syrup tasting as close to the natural fruit as possible. It’s more work, but you can really taste the difference.” 

Dylan’s commitment to scratch cooking extends beyond syrups to include hand-made butter, jams, chutneys, relishes, and mayonnaise, all prepared with the same dedication to quality and local sourcing that defines Da’s approach to food and drink. 

“We’ve spent the past two years figuring out what matters to us and our customers,” adds Dylan. “With matcha, we wanted to do it right. That means taking our time with each step – sifting and whisking in the traditional way, not just throwing powder in milk and calling it Matcha. Whether you’re in Cardiff enjoying our food or in Swansea just grabbing a drink, we put the same care into everything we make.” 

#DaCoffeeShop #foodDrink #HighStreet #MatchaTea #PalaceTheatre #Swansea #TramshedTech

Swansea’s Palace Theatre reopens with new name and purpose after restoration

The historic landmark – which dates back to 1888 – has undergone an extensive three-year restoration, led and funded by Swansea Council with an investment worth more than £6.9m from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative.

The carefully restored six-floor building now offers state-of-the-art workspaces designed to support tech, digital and creative businesses.

Cherished architectural features have been maintained, including the decorative iron balcony, original Ebbw Vale brick, and restored floor tiles.

The historic theatre stage has been preserved and reimagined as a unique event space and collaborative work area.

The project has been delivered by council officers, R&M Williams, GWP Architecture, Hydrock (now Stantec) and TC Consult.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“It’s amazing to see this fantastic piece of Swansea’s heritage saved, restored and given a new lease of life so that future generations can enjoy it. The transformation of the Palace has been done with such care, style and attention to detail. It’s a real credit to all who have worked so hard to achieve this.

“With capacity for over 300 people, I look forward to local people running businesses that make the Palace Theatre building their home. The Palace holds such a special place in the hearts of Swansea people, and I’m delighted that they’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

“Before the council acquired the building almost five years ago, the Palace had fallen into an alarming state of disrepair and was in danger of being lost forever.

“I thank the council officers, our contractors and partners and all the teams who’ve successfully brought this unique and remarkable building back to life.”

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

“As part of the council’s ongoing £1bn regeneration of the city, the restored Palace Theatre building will be a catalyst for further improvements to the High Street area – where tens of millions of pounds have already been invested.

“It’ll also provide a significant boost for the whole city centre which is already benefiting from the successful delivery of other major schemes such as Swansea Arena and the Albert Hall.

“There’s more to come too, with projects such as 71/72 Kingsway, Y Storfa and the Biophilic Building well under way.”

Jayne Bryant, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said:

“It’s wonderful to see how our Transforming Towns programme has supported the restoration of this iconic building in the heart of the city centre.

“The redevelopment of the historic Palace Theatre is a crucial catalyst to regenerating Swansea’s High Street and will help encourage economic growth and opportunities for small businesses. I can’t wait to see how this project will benefit both businesses and the local community alike.”

Louise Harris, CEO at Tramshed Tech, said:

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for both Swansea’s business community and this beloved landmark.

“This remarkable transformation has been a collaborative effort and what’s been created is space where history meets innovation – where local entrepreneurs can collaborate, grow, and shape the future of business in Swansea.

“The revival of the Palace Theatre demonstrates what we can achieve together, preserving Welsh heritage while fostering innovation led entrepreneurship.”

The new business hub offers flexible coworking spaces, private offices, virtual office services, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, event space, and ‘Da’ – a new independent coffee shop open to the public. All spaces are equipped with high-speed connectivity and state-of-the-art amenities designed for modern businesses.

To celebrate the opening, Tramshed Tech is offering a range of launch promotions including 50% off all bookings with code SWANSEA50, part-time co-working memberships from £99/month, and two months free office space when you sign a 12-month contract. A bounce-back offer giving customers 25% off their next booking will also be available through December.

Supporting Swansea’s innovation ecosystem goes beyond workspace, say Tramshed Tech. This is why the company delivers comprehensive business support through its innovation programmes, designed to nurture start-ups from idea to scale-up.

Topics include product market fit, investor readiness, IP and building a data room, along with peer-to-peer support, mentorship and networking opportunities, making the Palace Theatre a true hub for business growth and innovation in Swansea.

The first major event, ‘From Swansea Start-up to Amazon Acquisition: The Veeqo Journey’ featuring Veeqo Founder and CEO Matt Warren, will take place tomorrow (November 8th) to showcase the potential for tech business growth in Swansea.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

#featured #PalaceTheatre #SwanseaCouncil #TramshedTech

Swansea’s iconic Palace Theatre building is set to reopen its doors on Thursday 7th November following an extensive restoration project.

The 136-year-old landmark is being brought back to life, thanks to funding from Swansea Council and £4.9m from the Welsh Government.

The project, led by the council and assisted by R&M Williams and GWP Architecture, is part of the council-driven £1bn city regeneration plan, aiming to breathe new life into the High Street area and create a hub for local businesses. 

Building operator Tramshed Tech is Wales’ leading coworking network and innovation hub. This opening marks Tramshed Tech’s expansion into Swansea, adding to their existing locations in Cardiff, Newport, and Barry where they offer a range of facilities including coworking, flexible office space, meeting rooms, event space, and podcast studios.  

As part of this expansion, Tramshed Tech will be introducing their coffee shop brand ‘Da’ (meaning ‘good’ in Welsh) in the new Swansea Palace development. This coffee shop will be open to the public, offering visitors locally sourced food, freshly brewed Coaltown coffee and a welcoming environment to meet friends and colleagues. 

Beyond physical spaces, Tramshed Tech is known for its award-winning business growth programmes, tailored to support the growth of tech, digital, and creative businesses throughout Wales and beyond. 

Louise Harris, CEO at Tramshed Tech said:

“As a proud Welsh company, we are honoured to be part of the Palace Theatre’s next chapter. This historic landmark is treasured by the local community and has been a landmark in Swansea for over a century.

“We’ve worked closely with local partners to ensure that the building’s history is respected, and it’s legacy preserved while adapting it for the future.” 

“Our vision is to create a space where Swansea’s rich heritage meets its bright future – a place where local businesses can collaborate, forge partnerships and facilitate game-changing innovation.” 

The landmark will provide cutting-edge workspaces that pay homage to some of the buildings’ most treasured features with its decorative open iron balcony, original red Ebbw Vale brick, and refurbished floor tiles, blending its rich history with modern entrepreneurial spirit. 

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said:

“It’s wonderful to see how our Transforming Towns programme is supporting the renovation works to bring this listed building in the heart of the city centre back into active use. 

“The redevelopment of the iconic and prominent Palace Theatre building serves as a crucial catalyst to help regenerate Swansea’s High Street and I can’t wait to see how this project will benefit both businesses and the local community.” 

The restored Palace Theatre building will feature six floors of versatile workspace including coworking, meeting rooms, office space and podcast studios. The historic theatre stage is being preserved as a unique event space and collaborative coworking area whilst the ground-floor will become ‘Da’, Tramshed Tech’s independent coffee shop. See brochure with floorplans and more details here.  

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“We’re delighted that Tramshed Tech have announced an opening date at the Palace – and to have them on board to run this beautiful building that we’re saving for future generations. 

“Our work – and Tramshed Tech’s expertise – will breathe new life into the Palace; I’m looking forward to it reopening as a base for local people running businesses there. 

“It’ll be a catalyst to help regenerate the city centre and its High Street area which has seen tens of millions of pounds of investment in recent years, bringing new opportunities, homes and improved commercial premises across the city centre. I thank all those who have worked on the fantastic Palace project. 

“The Palace is one of many exciting city centre developments on which there’ll be great progress this year, including work towards a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens and advances on our Y Storfa public services hub.” 

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/27/swanseas-palace-theatre-building-set-to-reopen-as-tramshed-techs-latest-business-hub/

#PalaceTheatre #SwanseaCouncil #TramshedTech

At the #AI Wales/ProductTank meetup in Cardiff!

#TramshedTech

Will live toot any lessons!

#product #ProductStrategy