Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Nino Williams

Secret Bar & kitchen in Swansea ransacked by thief who smashed huge glass door to get in

A popular beach front bar was burgled by intruders who smashed a large front door to get in.

The theft from The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen on Swansea 's seafront and which commands spectacular views across the bay, means part of the glass-fronted venue faces being boarded up for weeks at the height of summer.

It also means staff lose out as the culprit walked away with their tip jar.

Ryan Hole, who with sister Lucy own and run the bar, together with The Optimist bar in Uplands, said: "It is a bit of a nightmare. The problem is it is an isolated area. If it were The Optimist I doubt this would happen.

(The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen)
An external view of The Secret Bar being scouted out (The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen)

"But because it was beach side the chances of being seen are less. He first tried to break into the kiosk next door, and buckled the shutters there when he tried to open the doors, and then also my car which I had left in the car park.

"The door was triple glazed so he couldn't just kick it out, it looks like he took the seal off it until it became loose.

"He was here for about an hour. We had to wait for forensics to be carried out the following morning which meant we couldn't touch the scene, so we lost about three hours trading. But at least they found some blood (which could help forensic officers catch the culprit).

"We're disappointed more than anything. It's going to take three or four weeks for the replacement door to be made and delivered which means it's going to be boarded up in that time.

"One of the great things about The Secret is its locations and its views".

The business is now appealing to local schools to take part in project they launched following the break-in, dubbed Turning Negativity into Positivity, by designing pictures that represent Swansea, the beach and kindness - which will be posted onto the boarding until it can be replaced.

(The Secret Beach Bar and Restaurant)

Just a week earlier, a bicycle repair station installed next to The Secret was vandalised, just days after being installed.

And it is not the only Swansea hospitality business to have been targeted this week, with Sin City a short distance away in the city centre having been broken into.

READ MORE: Stunning portrait by 14-year-old schoolgirl recognised by the Royal Academy

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "South Wales Police were called at around 5am on Wednesday, June 30, following reports of a commercial burglary at Secret Beach Bar & Restaurant on Mumbles Road.

"A male has forced entry by smashing the main glass windows and was captured on CCTV walking over to the bar and taking the staff tip jar.

"He left the building with the tip jar and walked onto the promenade and headed in the general direction of the marina.

"The suspect is described as white, around 6ft2 and was wearing a baseball cap, a dark colour hooded jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms and walking boots".

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2100228448.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.