PIER Businesses hit by
THERE are a few things that come to mind when you think of Mumbles. Possibly the world’s first passenger train service, or maybe Joe’s ice-cream?
Or perhaps it’s the notorious Mumbles Mile challenge to visit every public house lining the road?
But one feature that stands out, defining its vista at the end of the sweep of Swansea Bay, is Mumbles Pier.
Originally opened in 1898 to extend the famous Mumbles railway service, and serve as the new terminus, its RNLI slipway was added almost 20 years later, and in the 1960s its amusement pavilion was added.
The business has been redeveloped in the intervening period, including for many years hosting the much missed Cinderella’s nightclub, and has been a popular destination in its own right ever since.
Boasting an amusement arcade, the Copperfish bar and restaurant, The Beach Hut Cafe, shop Beaches and Cream, and an events room, it is also the home of fishing supplies shop Basstastic and Oystermouth Radio.
They are open most of the year, but peak season unsurprisingly runs from Easter to September, with June, July and August the most important months.
It goes without saying that 2020 has not quite gone to plan.
With coronavirus lockdown being imposed at the end of March, the plans for summer were put on hold.
And, like businesses across the country and across the world, it has had to scramble to put contingencies into place.
It has, admits owner Bert Bollom, been a challenge.
“When lockdown was announced, am I allowed to swear? Let me just say it wasn’t a very pleasant time.
“We have an all-year planning cycle, but our summer months are usually finalised by the end of February.
“Through our peak months it’s all hands on deck and go, go go! This year has, of course, been very different indeed.
“At this point in an ordinary year our team would be looking at Christmas time and planning the events calendar now.
“But, of course, with all the changes and the uncertain environment we are scrambling to plan for next week, let alone next season.”
Social distancing and the Government’s Covid-19 trading guidelines mean normal business has been suspended, but that doesn’t mean it has stopped.
Just half of the businesses are open – The Beach Hut Cafe and Copperfish.
“We opened our pier last weekend and, weather permitting, we are hoping to have a good weekend, or as good as it can be in the current climate,” said Mr Bollom.
“Realistically, in terms of takings we would be very lucky if we get 25% of our usual take for this time of year.
“With all the restrictions and guidelines, our capacity has been greatly reduced. However we are seeing visitor numbers picking up, which is refreshing to see.
“And people seem to be really enjoying the outside areas that we have to offer, which we know we are very fortunate to have and are ample”.
At peak season, the pier employs up to 60 staff, but being a seasonal attraction it was on winter staffing levels when lockdown was imposed.
That means it has been able, via the
Government’s furlough scheme, retain nearly all of its staff.
“That doesn’t mean that we don’t know we are in for some tough decisions over the next few months,” admits Mr Bollom. to