News & Events
The latest news from Swansea Indoor Market and Swansea City Centre.
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TV MasterChef’s Dale & Larkin Cooked Up a Storm on Oxford St
On Saturday 25th May, TV Chefs Dale Williams and Larkin Cen attracted a huge crowd on Oxford St as they showed off their culinary skills.
Each were given a budget of £30 to buy their ingredients from Swansea Market and cook off against each other. The audience got to sample the delicious dishes and decide the winner.
"Today was the first cook-off we have done," said Larkin. "We had both looked forward to it. It was fine. There was some good energy out there.
"I was really, really impressed with the market. We had a bit of banter with people and it was really good."
Dale cooked summer vegetables spring broth with hake and mussels.
"It is the first time we have done anything like this," he said. "The TV show was a competition for a process. This was a bit of fun bringing the crowds in. It was good.
"Ninety per cent of our ingredients were in the market. I think the market is cracking, particularly the fish. I think it is really good quality."
The event was part of Swansea Market’s ‘Love Your Local Market’ celebrations which also included free activities such as cookery workshops where children could make Glamorgan sausages, craft activities and face painting.
Love Your Local Market on Saturday 25th May
FREE family fun and entertainment on Oxford St and in Swansea Market from 10am to 3pm.
Come and meet Masterchef finalists, Dale Williams and Larkin Cen who will be shopping in the market and then cooking up a storm around lunchtime.
We’ll also have kids’ cookery classes, crafts, face painting and balloon modelling throughout the day.
A selection of Swansea Market traders will also be setting up stalls on Oxford and we’ll be giving away free Welshcakes.
The Wave will be on hand providing the music, so come and join us!
New ‘Swansea Market’ series starts on BBC1 Wales – May 10th
SWANSEA MARKET is a new four-part series for BBC1 Wales following the lives of Swansea’s traditional market traders as they battle the recession with a combination of low prices, entrepreneurial zeal and west Wales’ humour.
This behind the scenes documentary series follows our traders during the busiest three months of the market’s year – the Christmas rush. Some traders are on course to becoming millionaires; others are fighting for survival. All are competing fiercely with each other, the high street and Swansea’s growing number of supermarkets as Britain faces a triple dip recession.
The characters the series follows are as diverse as the businesses themselves and it provides a fascinating and humorous glimpse into a changing Wales. What we eat and how we shop tells us a lot about who we are – from the growing immigrant communities working and shopping in the market, to the traditional food producers and sellers of West Wales trying to find new markets for their wares.
The first episode airs on BBC1 Wales – Friday 10th May at 7.30pm – don’t miss it!
(SWANSEA MARKET is directed and produced by Will Lorimer for Indus Films www.indusfilms.com)
Major investment earmarked for Swansea Market
MORE than £1 million has been earmarked to upgrade Swansea Market’s roof.
The roof, which has exceeded its expected lifespan by more than 20 years, has experienced a number of leaks in recent years.
Plans being considered include upgrading the roof with energy-efficiency measures like integrated solar panels and rain water drainage.
The proposed scheme will include the replacing of the roofing sheets to the iconic market dome, the renewal of roof lights and the treatment of all flat roof areas. Glazing will also be upgraded and the roof will be strengthened.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet is now being asked to approve the spending and the submission of a planning application in future.
Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Swansea Market is a vitally important feature of our city centre that helps strengthen our reputation for top-quality independent traders. It attracts visitors from far afield and even the Prince of Wales was enormously impressed when he made a visit in December.
“The market helps Swansea city centre stand out from the crowd and that’s why it’s important we invest in its future during these enormously competitive times for traders.
“But it’s also vital we minimise disruption to the market hall when any works are ongoing. Limiting the impact of the works and maintaining regular contact with market traders will be key to our planning as this proposal moves forward.”
If Cabinet approves the spending, it will also give Swansea Council the opportunity to match-fund the scheme from other sources under the Waterfront City programme. This could lead to other improvements at the market including more floor space, better signage and improved entrances.
Congratulations to 6 year old Charlie Collins who won our Easter Egg Hunt competition. Charlie will now be attempting to eat his way through his height in Easter Eggs!
‘Visit Wales’ Features Swansea Market in Top 5 Favourite Place in Swansea
‘Visit Wales’ have just launched a new web page full of handy information about Swansea.
They also polled their Visit Swansea’s Facebook fans and discovered that Swansea Market was in the top 5 favourite places in Swansea.
Local food blogger, Tony Kluge has also been checking out the top spots to eat and rates the Market’s Punjabi Tiffin – ‘As unlikely an eater as you are likely to find in Swansea Market, and as near to authentic north Indian cooking as you are likely to find in South Wales’.
You can find more information here:
http://www.visitwales.co.uk/short-breaks/city-breaks/swansea/
Don’t miss the St David’s celebrations at Swansea Market
Join us at Swansea Market on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March when we’ll be celebrating St David’s Day. On 1st March, there’ll be FREE professional St David’s Day photographs for children and local primary school choirs will be providing entertainment and singing their favourite Welsh songs. On 2nd March, from 10am there’ll be family entertainment including magic shows, Welsh craft activities and face painting. And once again, there’ll be the opportunity to have a free professional photo of your little ones in their Welsh costumes.
Swansea Market trader stars in new real-life BBC drama
Linda Colley, long established trader at Swansea Market, will feature in the BBC Wales real-life drama ‘Wales in a Year’ which first airs on Wednesday 9th January. The series follows eight people from across Wales during the course of 12 months, following everything from hopes and dreams to heartaches and despair in a bid to bring meaningful and impactful stories to Welsh audiences.
Linda’s great grandmother started the business (Abrahams & Family) selling cooked meats and bacon back in 1921. Linda now runs the stall with her family and as the market is a big part of her life, film crews came into the market on numerous occasions to record her story.
http://www.swanseaindoormarket.co.uk/content/public/stalls/43c.aspx
A royal visit to Swansea Market was a day to remember!
A fantastic day was had by Swansea Market traders and shoppers alike on Friday as they enjoyed a visit from HRH, The Prince of Wales. The Prince spent 45 minutes touring the market and chatting with the crowds that had gathered to see him. He clearly enjoyed the experience, stopping to find out more about the producers and stallholders that trade at the market and buying some of the market’s famous cockles and laverbread. At the end of the tour, he was presented with a Swansea Market hamper and unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit. Check out some footage of the tour
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2012-12-13/prince-charles-visits-south-wales/#prince-of-wales-buys-seafood-from-stallholder-and-unveils-plaque-to-commemorate-the-visit_132473
Royal visit announced for Swansea Market
SWANSEA'S historic indoor market is getting a royal seal of approval.
It's been announced that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will be visiting Swansea Market on Friday December 14.
His Royal Highness will be meeting stallholders at the market during a guided tour that will end with the unveiling of a bilingual plaque to commemorate his visit.
Schoolchildren from Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn will be singing a number of Christmas carols throughout the visit.
D. Byron Lewis, H.M. Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, will escort His Royal Highness. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Swansea, Cllr Dennis James and his wife, Anne, will also be present.
The Lord Lieutenant said: "The visit by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is a significant honour for both the city of Swansea and the stallholders of Swansea Market. It is a recognition of the importance of Swansea Market to the local community and its place in the history of Swansea."
Cllr James said: "It will be an honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Swansea and to our historic indoor market. It's the largest facility of its kind in Wales that's enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of shoppers every year. The market is one of our city's most popular features that helps the city centre stand out from the crowd.
"I'm sure the His Royal Highness will find the tour of the market interesting. It's well-documented that His Royal Highness is an advocate of sustainable, local food, and many of the products on sale at the market are produced right here on our doorstep.
"His visit will also be a day many of the market traders and the schoolchildren performing will remember for the rest of their lives."
Christmas Craft Fayre – Fri 7th & Sat 8th December
Don’t miss the opportunity to pick up some fantastic Christmas gifts our craft fayre. Gower Crafts & Artisans will have a beautiful selection of unique gifts available on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th December.
Festive Family Fun Day with The Wave – Sat 24th Nov
Join Phil Hoyles on Sat 24th Nov from 10am as he bring the chart show LIVE from Swansea market for the Christmas Festive fun day!
There’ll be free activities all day from 11 until 4pm, including festive face painting, puppet shows throughout the day, music and entertainment! And you can make your own Christmas stocking, advent calendar AND 3D Christmas trees!
Find us at the centre of the Market!
Best selling children’s author, Brenda May Williams at Swansea Market!
Come down to Swansea Market on Saturday 10th November and join Brenda May Williams from 11am to 3pm. She’ll be promoting and signing her two new books, ‘The Unusual Pet Shop’ and ‘The House of Useful Things’. There’ll be free balloons, sweets and treats and of course your chance to grab a copy of the books with a personalised message.
Swansea Market Craft Fayre
Don’t miss our fantastic Craft Fayre on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th September with Gower Crafts and Artisans.
You’ll find lots of wonderful, unique gifts, such as jewellery, quilts, collectors’ teddies and beautiful crafts made from slate, glass, textiles, beads and more.
Come and join us at the centre of the Market.
Cookery Challenge with Kieron Self, Anthony Evans and Helen Enser-Morgan
Your Chance to Win a Trading Table Free for 3 Months!
If you have a small business, work from home, or simply feel you have the entrepreneurial skills to take advantage of 3 months free trading in Wales’ largest indoor market, just let us know!
We’re looking for traders with unique products that can complement the wide variety already on offer in Swansea Market. So just tell us in 150 words or less why this chance should be yours.
Send your entry to citycentremanagement@swansea.gov.uk or in writing to Trading Tables Competition, City Centre Management 67 Plymouth St, Swansea SA1 3QG
Terms and conditions:
- Free pitch available to new traders only
- Competition ends Friday 17th August 2012. Winner will be notified by Friday 24th August 2012
- Trading table available from Monday 3rd September 2012 at the earliest and for a period of 3 calendar months
- Some dates may be unavailable for trading due to planned events in the casual tables area
- Pitch consists of 1 table (3ft x 2ft) within the casual trading area
- Traders must enter a Tenancy at Will agreement for 3 months and comply with Swansea Market’s Code of Conduct and Health and Safety regulations
- Traders must have adequate 3rd Party Liability Insurance
- City Centre Management’s decision on the winning entry is final
- City Centre Management reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time
Schools & New Traders Welcomed to Swansea Market
On Friday 6th July, Swansea Market held its first ‘Open Day’, giving new traders the opportunity to trade in the market free of charge and test their products. Vintage homeware and gifts stall, ‘Shabby Chicks’ was joined by ‘Gower Chillis’ with their tempting chilli sauces, Treat Trust selling the inspirational autobiography, ‘Never Say Die’ by Melanie Davies, and a stall selling delicious Japanese food.
Primary school choirs also provided customers and traders with fantastic entertainment after having a tour of the market where they learned all about its history, why it’s important to the local community and tasted some of the great produce on offer!
Swansea Market plays host to Rolf Harris
Swansea Market gave a warm welcome to Rolf Harris CBE yesterday, when he visited the market as part of the BBC series, ‘Rolf on Art’.
He brought along his easel to paint a portrait of long established market trader, Carol Watts, owner of Gower Cockles & Shellfish.
He also got the crowds going with a good old fashioned sing song of some much loved songs, including the Welsh hymn Calon Lan. It was a day to remember!
‘Think Fit’ to trade at Swansea Market’s Open Day
Think Fit was established in September 2011 by 15 Year 12 students at Ysgol Tre-Gib in Llandeilo as part of the Young Enterprise Competition. They developed a brand in the form of a sporty monkey and created a set of activity cards aimed at keeping children active in a fun and exciting way! They went on to further expand the product range with water bottles, hi vis bags and tabards and children and adult t-shirts - all bearing the monkey logo. The ‘Monkey See Monkey Do’ brand has become a fast success and they have now translated the activity pack into Welsh to meet demand.
They became West Wales Champions for Yong Enterprise in March 2012.
On 7th June they won the UK Final of Young Enterprise Social Enterprise making them the UK Social Enterprise Company of 2012. This enabled them to compete in the European final against 10 other countries on 18th June. The came 3rd place which is an excellent achievement!
The business will continue to run only until the end of July, so don’t miss your chance to check them out at Swansea Market on Friday 6th July.
Check out our new traders on Friday
Join us on our Market Open Day, when we welcome new casual traders to the market. Come and see what’s on offer from Gower Chillis with their array of tasty chilli sauces or be inspired to get fit and have fun with WDN Sports and Think Fit.
We’ll also have authentic Japanese food and Shabby Chicks will be selling their gorgeous range of vintage style gifts and homeware.
Support Treat Trust at Swansea Market this Friday
TREAT Trust Wales is aiming to provide a state of the art rehabilitation centre, to be built on land next to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, South Wales. Founded in 2000 by Melanie Davies, who became a paraplegic following a horrific motorbike accident when she was just 15, TREAT stands for Treatment, Rehabilitation, Exercise And Therapy.
Come along to the Market on Friday to purchase a copy of Mel’s inspirational autobiography and show your support for TREAT Trust.
In the Market this Friday for one day only!
WDN Sports is a Young Enterprise Wales Company set up and run by 6th form students from Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest. The product, designed, produced and packaged by the students themselves, is ‘The Office Games’ pack. This exciting product encourages a bit of workplace interaction whilst promoting healthy competition between colleagues. The pack includes tabletop archery, golf and ping pong games together with instructions on assembly and use. All this fun for only £8; an ideal novelty gift for that sporty desk bound person or a lunch time boredom breaker for you!
SPECIAL OFFER - Card Collection Stall 55A
10% off all purchases over £5....
Rolf Harris at Swansea Market!
Rolf Harris will be visiting Swansea Market on Wednesday 4th July as part of the BBC series ‘Rolf Harris on Welsh Art’. Rolf will be exploring the work of Swansea- born artist, Evan Walters (1893-1951) whose celebrated work included that of ‘The Cockle Woman’. Rolf will be using this inspiration to create a portrait of Swansea Market’s well-known cockle woman, Carol Watts.
Market Open Day – Friday 6th July
Join us on Friday 6th July, when we’ll be welcoming new entrepreneurs into Swansea Market to test their business ideas. New traders will be joined by Young Enterprise Wales groups from Ysgol Tregib, Llandeilo and Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest. They’ll be selling their own designed Olympic themed sports activities and products as we get closer to the start of the games!
We’ll also be giving guided market tours to local primary school groups, to learn more about the history of the market, why it’s important to the local community and the traditional Welsh products on offer. They’ll also be sampling a few delights along the way such as freshly made Welshcakes! Then they’ll be providing some great choral entertainment for our customers and traders.
It promises to be a great day, so come along and join us on Friday 6th July!
National Market Day Merriment
Swansea Market took over Oxford Street on Sat 23rd June as it celebrated National Market Day. With an array of market traders and cookery demonstrations showcasing the great fresh produce, it was a great day for Swansea shoppers.
Whilst in the Market itself, superb entertainment was provided by Cor Tabernacl Treforys / Tabernacle Morriston Choir. Music from Loughor Town Band added to the party atmosphere, whilst children’s entertainer Jack Twist kept the crowds happy with his magic show.
TEST YOUR BUSINESS IDEA AT SWANSEA MARKET
If you’re a budding new trader, then put your business idea into action on Friday July 6 when Swansea Market is offering trading tables free of charge! We’re ideally looking for unique and unusual products that will complement our existing traders.
If you’d like to be part of our ‘Market Open Day’ and test out your new business idea, then don’t miss this opportunity. Contact City Centre Management on 01792 476370 - citycentremanagent@swansea.gov.uk
Terms and conditions:
- Free pitch available to new traders only.
- Pitch consists of 1 table (3ft x 2ft) within the casual trading area.
- Traders must comply with Swansea Market’s health and safety regulations.
- 8 tables are available and will be allocated based on product suitability.
- Successful applicants will be advised by Friday 29th June.
SPECIAL OFFERS - HOLLAND NETS - STALL 38
'25% of selected cut nets, voiles and 25% off all ready made heavy curtains'
Cut nets designs - 2412, 3964 & Hawaii
Custom made voiles - Ritz
Voile panels - Bridget & Sienna
25% of all ready made heavy curtains
Hurry! Offer ends 8th July!
Celebrate National Market Day – Sat 23rd June
Entertainment lining the streets... From beautiful costume jewellery and delicious Welshcakes, to fresh flowers and fancy cupcakes, there’s all of this and more on Oxford Street tomorrow. Phil Hoyles and The Wave will be there covering the event live and challenging you to a game of Giant Jenga! For the foodies, there will be cookery demonstrations covering a variety of dishes and showcasing the wonderful fresh produce available in the market.
Market merriment...
In the market you’ll find facepainting and craft workshops for the children so that whole family can join in the celebrations.
Children’s entertainer, Jack Twist, will be performing magic shows throughout the day and music from Loughor Town Band and Morriston
Male Voice Choir will be adding to the party atmosphere. There’s also a free prize draw to win a hamper full of market goodies!
All of the entertainment and activities on Oxford Street and in Swansea Market are free of charge. The day’s event kicks off tomorrow, Saturday
June 23, at 10am and winds down at 4pm – see you there!
Fantastic Jubilee Celebrations at Swansea Market
Hundreds of people enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations at Swansea Market on Saturday 2nd June. The event kicked off with a fantastic swing set from Swansea University Musicians’ Society which got everyone in the Jubilee spirit. This was followed by a great performance by the Society’s string ensemble and musical entertainment later in the day was provided by Ystradgynlais Town Band.
Children’s entertainer, Jack Twist, wowed the crowd with his magic shows scheduled throughout the day. Children could also enjoy facepainting and take part in Jubilee craft workshops, where they could decorate their own memorabilia such as Jubilee mugs and plates.
The next family fun day will be held in the Market on Saturday 23rd June to celebrate National Market Day.
The BIG Easter Egg Hunt at Swansea Market!
Bring the family to Swansea Market over the next few weeks and join the BIG Easter Egg hunt! Children entering the competition could WIN their HEIGHT IN EASTER EGGS!
Simply pick up an entry form at any of the stalls and start hunting! Count up all the pictures of Easter eggs dotted around the market and drop your entry form in the prize draw box. A winner from the correct entries will be picked at random on Saturday 31st March in the Market, live on The Wave.
On Saturday 31st March there will also be lots of Easter fun in the Market with fantastic free activities – facepainting, professional photographs and Easter craft workshops!
So head to Swansea Market with the family today!
More SPECIAL OFFERS
Tuckers Fresh Fish STALL 49F
Enjoy
10% OFF all fresh fish from Saturday 10th March for one week only.
Find us at the centre of the market
I Do Wedding Favours STALL 15
Spend £20 or more on Bay Trees for your wedding and get
a gorgeous Wedding Wishing Well FREE.
Only available while stocks last.
Terms apply.
Call 01792 465777 for details.
Find us near the Union Street entrance.
A Wonderful St David’s Day at Swansea Market
A great time was had by all at Swansea Market on St David’s Day! Glyncollen Primary School choir provided wonderful entertainment and finished their programme with the National Anthem, where the audience were only too happy to join in!
Local school groups were also given tours of the Market, where they learned about its history and experienced all the different sights, sounds and smells.
Legendary Welsh International footballer, John Hartson, also paid a visit for an exclusive signing of his inspirational biography, ‘Please Don’t Go’.
The free St David’s Day photographs proved as popular as always, with children with their parents queuing through the aisles to have their photo taken.
All in all, it was a perfect way to celebrate St David’s Day.
Latest Special Offers
Offer 1 - Billy Upton Butchers - Stall 46A via Whitewalls Entrance
Wide selection of handmade gourmet sausages – Beef & Guinness, Beef & Horseradish, Pork, Apple & Stilton, Pork & Sweet Chilli and lots more. Plus delicious gluten free and ‘sin free’ sausages
Only £5.00 per kilo
Offer 2 - Good News - Stall 1 A/B at Oxford St Entrance
A great selection of Tomos Watkin ales and cider available, including Cwrw Haf and Taffy Apples.
4 bottles for £6!!
Offer 3 - L Vaughan & Sons - Stall 46B via Whitewalls Entrance
Fresh, lean peppered steak – 6 for £5.00
Serving the people of Swansea for over 50 years.
Offer 4 - Get Fresh - Tables at Union St Entrance
Enjoy springtime indoors with 2 bunches of daffodils for £1!!
Winners of the Family Fun Day have a ball!
The winner of Swansea Market’s ‘Family Fun Day’ Prize Draw was Rory King of Gowerton. Rory with his wife Anna, daughter Cara and cousin Annie-Kate didn’t stop smiling all day as they spent their £200 Love2Shop vouchers and enjoyed a feast at Frankie & Benny’s. The highlight was the Aladdin in 3D pantomime which the family found hilarious. Then it was back home in style when the limo picked them up from the Grand Theatre.
Rory said ‘Altogether it was such a nice experience and we all felt very lucky to have won what turned out to be a fantastic family day out!’