A distinctive 1930s ice cream kiosk which was repaired after a car crashed into it just ten years ago has been left once again 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.
The Big Apple, located near Bracelet Bay, which was granted listed building status in 2019 has been one of Swansea’s most recognisable landmarks for generations.
An iconic feature from the heyday of seaside entertainment, the Big Apple kiosk was first built in the early 30s to promote a cider brand called Cidertone.
It is not the first time the landmark has been damaged over the years, but worryingly, the impact this time has devastated the concerned owners over the likelihood of repair
A Ford Fiesta collided with the landmark in August, 2009, causing extensive damage and after doubt over its future, it was rebuilt and repaired at the time after 27,000 people backed a campaign to safeguard its future.
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.”
“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 said in a statement:
“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.”
[Lead image: Jane Turnbull]
