Café is latest attraction at city centre gallery

SWANSEA city centre has a new place to enjoy coffee – and to take in some great art.

The new café is based at the Swansea Council-run Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

It’s being run by the people behind the successful HQ Urban Kitchen which has operated nearby in Orchard Street since 2022 and which remains open.

Entry to the gallery is free and the café, serving tea, coffee by Ammanford-based Coaltown, homemade cakes, pastries, freshly made sandwiches and seasonal snacks, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Elliott King, the council’s cabinet member for culture, human rights and equalities, said: “This welcoming new facility in the fantastic Glynn Vivian offers another chance to enjoy the city centre and to enjoy great art.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring in respected Swansea-based café operator HQ Urban Kitchen as our partner.

“It’s a few years since the gallery had a café and HQ’s excellent reputation will help make the Glynn Vivian yet more rewarding for people who visit.”

HQ Urban Kitchen manager Laura Reynolds said: “We’re thrilled to have opened a new cafe in the Gynn Vivian.

“It’s a brilliant city centre location and cultural venue so we’re really excited to be greeting our first customers.

“Feedback since we opened on July 12 has been really positive; our aim is to improve people’s experience of the city centre and gallery, which is already a fabulous place to visit.”

The Glynn Vivian is a centre of excellence for the visual arts. It plays a vital role in the ecosystem of arts across Wales and beyond.

Its artistic programme includes exhibitions, collaborations and socially engaged projects.

The gallery supports emerging and established local artists as well as bringing world-leading artists to Wales. It presents major exhibitions and commissions special work.

HQ Urban Kitchen, in Swansea city’s centre’s former main police station, is driven by Swansea-based Urban Foundry that promotes an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.

Projects they’re behind include the award-winning Swansea Bay Street Markets, from where they source some of the food and drink for their coffee shops.