Landmark pub closes due to effects of Covid-19 pandemic
A WELL-KNOWN landmark pub in Swansea city centre has closed down.
Three Lamps, which opened in 2018, but was taken over by new owners in 2019, is a multi-floor venue on Castle Square and is on the site of the former Office pub.
A statement issued by the pub, which is run by Bruno Nunes, the owner of Creative Hospitality Group (CHG) said that the difficult decision comes following the “unprecedented and unforeseen Covid-19 crisis”.
A statement from Mr Nunes, who also runs a number of bars including Peppermint, Brewstone and Bambu said: “It is with great sadness to announce the closure of Three Lamps.
“This decision has not been an easy one, we have enjoyed our relationships with our customers over the past year and we can’t thank them enough for their support since we took over Three Lamps in the second half of 2019.
“Creative Hospitality Group had been fully committed to the future development of Three Lamps.
“The company had set aside a substantial amount to invest in further improvements of the building, with ambitious plans to expand the brewery operations and the rooftop terrace area.”
Mr Nunes admitted that CHG has already suffered huge losses amounting into “hundreds of thousands of pounds” since lockdown began in March.
Which has made it
“impossible” for CHG to continue with Three Lamps.
He added: “Unfortunately, the unprecedented and unforeseen Covid-19 crisis and resulting instability of the hospitality industry has led to the decimation of the Capex budget and beyond.
“As for the hardworking and dedicated members of staff at Three Lamps, a handful of them have completed their studies at university and moved out of the area.
“For those staff who remain, they are currently being supported by CHG’S HR department to either be transferred to CHG’S remaining sites, where they will continue their employment without interruption or they are utilising the wrap around support to seek alternative employment.
“CHG is a small independent business in South Wales that pays in excess of £850,000 every year in rent and rates.
“At the time of lockdown, CHG was a working family of around 230 colleagues and had some great plans to expand their operations further in 2020.
“CHG hasn’t been immune to the current challenges and everyone is pulling together to ensure we can return stronger than ever before.
“We were lucky to have had a really understanding landlord who has shown a great deal of support for CHG and the decision to not move on with the business.”
The pub’s name is a tribute to the city’s heritage, reviving the original title of the pub which used to trade on the site, and where another, world famous, city centre name, poet and playwright Dylan Thomas, first joined hard drinking colleagues while working for the South Wales Evening Post, then called the Daily Post, and is immortalised in his short story Old Garbo.
The venue has a restaurant, coffee shop, wood fire grill, micro brewery, bars and a roof terrace where you could enjoy the views over the city.