Major damage has been caused to an historic landmark in Mumbles after a vehicle collided with it. The Big Apple, located near Bracelet Bay, has been left with significant structural damage to its lower right hand side.
A driver was travelling along Mumbles Road on Tuesday, January 7, when it is understood his vehicle hit ice and swerved into the side of the iconic feature, causing damage to the area where its door is located.
An iconic feature from the heyday of seaside entertainment, the Big Apple kiosk was built in the early 1930s to promote a cider brand called Cidertone. Back in 2019, it was granted listed building status by Cadw. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here.
It is not the first time the landmark has been damaged through the years. A Ford Fiesta ploughed into it in August, 2009, causing extensive damage. But it was rebuilt and repaired at the time after 27,000 people backed a campaign to safeguard its future.
After a period of falling into disrepair, it was restored to its former glory in 2022, with a vibrant new paint job, its door restored to working order and its shattered windows repaired. You can read more about that by clicking here. But now those who run Mumbles Pier are once again faced with fixing the landmark.
Structural damage has been caused to the door area of the Big Apple
(Image: Jane Turnbull)
The vehicle was also damaged in the collision
(Image: Jane Turnbull)
Bert Bollom, who runs Mumbles Pier together with his brother Fred, said: “I had a phone call that night. As a family, we’re devastated. I’m very grateful nobody was hurt, but now it’s a case for us of trying to get it back to as it was. At the moment we’re waiting for a structural engineer to come and tell us what state it’s in.
“There were bollards put in front of it recently to stop this, but it’s unfortunate with it being so close to the road. It’s a Mumbles staple, so it’s just a case of how we get it back together and what sort of state it’s in at that point.
“It’s a difficult building to work on because it’s totally unique. Buildings are not built like that anymore. When we came to do the rebuild the first time around, it was a very expensive thing to do. The structural engineer is coming down next week, but from speaking to him, what he’s worried about is the repair we did last time, which is a large concrete block on the front.”
A structural engineer is due to visit the site
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Mr Bollom added: “The driver came from the side, coming off the road, at a peculiar angle – whether he hit ice or whatever, he came off the road and went into the side of it where the door was. The poor boy was mortified and embarrassed. It wasn’t boy racer shenanigans or any drink or drugs, it was a genuine accident.
“What we’re worried about is that he’s actually moved the whole thing. It’s done as a mesh with a cement outline, and a sort of skimming on it, and it’s not a particularly strong structure. It’s a concern to think what sort of damage has been done inside. This was the very last thing that we needed. This was supposed to be a good year.”
A spokesman for South Wales Police added: “Officers received a report that a vehicle had collided with the historic Big Apple landmark in Mumbles, causing damage to the door and walls, at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, January 7. No injuries were sustained in the incident. The driver, a 27-year-old man from Mumbles, has been issued with a verbal warning for driving without due care and attention.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.