Refurbishment works help bring Swiss Cottage back to life

Some timbers have been replaced, sanding work has taken place and the building has been repainted to help restore it back to its heyday.

Swiss Cottage leaseholder Michael Border arranged for the work to be carried out, thanks to funding from Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The funding is also enabling a feasibility study that’s exploring alongside a specialist architect and consultancy team how the building can be brought back to use in future, while maintaining its heritage.

Subject to planning permission, ideas for the Swiss Cottage include creating a café space there for drinks and food as well as an upstairs area for wellness workshops.

If the plans go-ahead, young people not currently in education or employment would be offered the opportunity to work at the Swiss Cottage as part of a scheme to boost their confidence and skills.

Mr Border is also looking into other funding sources to help cover the costs of renovating the inside of the building, creating an outdoor seating space and re-establishing the building’s rear extension.

Mr Border said: “I have family in Swansea, so I’ve been heading back and forth to the city for years.

“I have fond memories of Swiss Cottage from my visits to Singleton Park as a child, so the opportunity help bring it back into use is too great to miss.

“Having spoken to so many park visitors about our ideas, we know there’s a lot of support because people want somewhere there where they can sit down and have a coffee and a slice of cake in comfort.

“There’s nothing compatible to it in Singleton Park, and all the works we’re carrying out will be in keeping with the history and heritage of the building.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Swiss Cottage is a landmark and a meeting place for Singleton Park visitors, but it had been in need of sprucing-up in recent years to improve its appearance.

“Thanks to our grant through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we’re delighted this work has now taken place as a feasibility study looking at ideas to bring the Swiss Cottage back into use continues.

“Built in the 19th century, the Swiss Cottage is one of many historic structures across Swansea that are benefitting from similar investment.

“This is part of our commitment to celebrate and preserve Swansea’s heritage while boosting communities across the city.”

Other historic structures to benefit include Oystermouth Castle, the Unitarian Church on High Street in the city centre and The York Place Baptist Church.