Charleston coffee shop open after-hours with new wine bar

A downtown Charleston cafe is trading in its coffee cups by day for wine glasses at night. The Hidden House, a cozy coffee and te…
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https://www.diningandcooking.com/2551448/charleston-coffee-shop-open-after-hours-with-new-wine-bar/

Charleston coffee shop open after-hours with new wine bar

A downtown Charleston cafe is trading in its coffee cups by day for wine glasses at night. The Hidden House, a cozy coffee and tea lounge at 21 Burns La…
#wine #Wine #charlestonbusiness #charlestoncoffee #charlestonmassages #charlestonscnews #charlestonspas #charlestonwinebar #hiddenhouse #MountPleasant #mountpleasantbusiness #tanningsalon
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2551448/charleston-coffee-shop-open-after-hours-with-new-wine-bar/

Former rugby international and movie actor to tackle iconic city building

Sililo Martens, a Tongan international who once graced the turf for both Swansea RFC and Bridgend RFC, is the man behind a proposal to breathe new life into the historic former Swansea Technical College in Mount Pleasant.

The Grade II listed building, a striking example of Tudor Gothic architecture that has watched over the city for more than a century, could be transformed into 18 one and two-bedroom apartments if the plans are given the green light.

Martens, who also had a role in the Clint Eastwood-directed movie Invictus and the Welsh soap opera Pobl y Cwm, has submitted an application for listed building consent to Swansea Council.

Documents lodged with the council reveal a vision to sympathetically restore the building, which has lain empty since the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) consolidated its city centre campuses.

The plans detail a meticulous refurbishment, including the installation of vintage lighting and Victorian-style coving, skirting boards, and doors to honour the building’s heritage.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of Martens states: “The conversion will bring the property into beneficial use and utilise a high quality pallet of materials in its conversion.”

The statement also notes that the principle of converting the empty building into flats was deemed acceptable by planning officers during pre-application discussions.

The imposing red-brick structure, which first opened its doors in 1897, holds a special place in the hearts of many Swansea residents who studied there over the decades.

It stands adjacent to the former Swansea Grammar School for Boys, which was heavily damaged during the Second World War’s three-night blitz on the city.

A heritage impact assessment describes the technical college as “amongst the finest structures in Swansea”, praising how its design “cleverly responds to the topography on which it is built”.

The assessment adds: “The remaining historic fabric is still robust and despite substantial interior alterations of the late 20th Century, sufficient historic fabric remains to demonstrate the craftsmanship and exquisite detailing that contributed to this building.”

One of the most intriguing aspects of the proposed conversion is the plan to carefully dismantle a lecture theatre on the third floor, with its timber seats and panelling being repurposed and reused within the new apartments.

The proposal includes no new parking spaces, citing the site’s “excellent public transport” links and proximity to the city’s High Street railway station. Secure cycle storage will be provided in the basement.

Martens is no stranger to the Swansea business scene. In 2018, he opened ‘The Bookshop’, a popular bar and coffee shop in a former bookshop in the city’s trendy Uplands area.

This latest venture marks a significant step into property development for the former scrum-half, who also played for the Scarlets and Sale Sharks during a distinguished rugby career.

Swansea Council planners will now assess the listed building consent application before making a decision.

Mount Pleasant man jailed for 11 years after rape conviction

Yogesh Parmar pleaded not guilty to both charges but was convicted following a trial on 26 January. He was sentenced on Monday by Judge Catherine Richards, who also imposed a 20-year restraining order.

The court heard harrowing details of the victim’s ordeal through an impact statement read by prosecutor Ian Wright. The victim described being “repeatedly pinned down and not allowed to leave” during the attack, saying she had “no control over my own body or what he was doing to me.”

In her statement, she revealed the ongoing psychological impact of Parmar’s crimes, explaining that the incident had stopped her living a normal life and caused her to suffer panic attacks.

“I’m still affected to this day and it’s something I feel I will never recover from,” she said. “I have a constant heavy feeling in me from what he did and it comes back to me in waves.”

The victim added that she would “never forget his soulless eyes.”

The court also heard that the trial process forced the victim to relive the traumatic incident in order to have the truth recognised.

Detective Constable Lauren Williams from South Wales Police praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and reporting the crimes.

“Yogesh Parmar raped his victim and also made her fear that he would be violent towards her on multiple occasions,” DC Williams said. “He physically assaulted her, prevented her from leaving his home and also threatened to destroy her property.

“This was a harrowing ordeal for the victim, who we commend for her bravery in coming forward and reporting Yogesh Parmar’s crimes.

“We hope that with this verdict and sentencing, the victim can now finally come to terms with what Yogesh Parmar did to her, and move on with her life, free from fear of what he would do next.”

South Wales Police emphasised that victims of sexual abuse will be “listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and will be supported throughout the judicial process.”

The force encouraged anyone who has been sexually abused to seek support, even if they are not yet ready to report to police. Information about support services is available through South Wales Police’s website.

The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court, which regularly handles serious criminal cases across the Swansea area.

Parmar, from Mount Pleasant, will serve 11 years in prison for his crimes.

Support for victims of sexual abuse:

If you have been affected by sexual abuse, support is available:

• South Wales Police: Call 101 or visit www.south-wales.police.uk
• Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 500 2222 (24/7)
• The Survivors Trust: 08088 010 818
• Victim Support: 08081 689 111

Hype for the Future 115C → Ohio State Route 150

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/02/23/hype-for-the-future-115c-%e2%86%92-ohio-state-route-150/

Swansea man jailed after sexually assaulting teenager and launching two violent attacks in city centre

Nathan Bantick, 34, from Mount Pleasant, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting sexual assault and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a series of incidents on The Kingsway on 26 November last year.

Swansea Crown Court heard Bantick made inappropriate comments to a group of teenage girls before touching an 18‑year‑old woman on the groin and thigh. When his friend Kevin Owen challenged him, Bantick punched him to the ground and kicked him before walking back to the nearby hostel where he was living.

Around 15 minutes later, Mr Owen returned to the hostel and told staff Bantick had been “chatting up young girls”. Bantick then launched a second attack, knocking him to the floor and repeatedly punching him in the face. Mr Owen was later taken to Morriston Hospital with severe swelling, bruising and two missing teeth.

Judge Geraint Walters said the public was “rightly concerned about hooligans and predators on our streets”, telling Bantick he had subjected the teenager to a “gross interference with her personal dignity” before carrying out a “merciless and sustained attack” on his friend.

Bantick has six previous convictions for 11 offences — including a notorious 2014 incident where he wore a Santa hat while attacking two women in a Swansea massage parlour after claiming he hadn’t received his “full half hour”. He then assaulted a customer who told him he couldn’t hit women, launching a sustained attack that left the man defenceless on the floor.

At the time, Bantick was serving in the Royal Marines and was warned a custodial sentence would end his military career. He was jailed for 12 months.

His barrister told the court Bantick was “genuinely remorseful” for the sexual assault and recognised his problems with alcohol. The court heard he has been diagnosed with PTSD and OCD and is awaiting assessment for ADHD.

Police said the victim had shown “commendable courage” in reporting the assault.

Detective Constable Ben Evans said:

“Nobody should go on a night out anywhere and expect to be on the receiving end of unwanted and inappropriate touching. Nathan Bantick’s actions were unacceptable and show this behaviour is serious enough to result in a prison sentence.”

He added that victims of sexual abuse would be “listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and supported throughout the judicial process”.

Bantick will serve up to half his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

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