An innovative council-led small tourism grant scheme is making a big difference across Swansea and Gower, helping businesses invest in their future and attract more visitors.
Funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the Tourism Support Fund provided grants of up to £10,000 to small accommodation operators looking to improve their offer.
Andrew Williams, Swansea Cabinet Member for Development has been finding out for himself the difference the fund is making for business owners who have used it to transform what they do, attracting new visitors to the area as a result.
One of those businesses was Pitton Cross Farm in Rhossili, where the grant helped owner, Sam Birdsell, convert a derelict barn into a high-quality self-catering holiday cottage.
Sam said: “The Tourism Support Fund has made a huge difference to our business. The funding helped us transform a derelict barn into two unique, dog-friendly self-catering cottages – The Beagle Barn and Nanna’s Bakehouse. Both are now welcoming visitors from all over the world. We’ve had guests from Belgium, the Netherlands and even Hong Kong, all looking for a peaceful retreat on Gower.
“The popularity of The Beagle Barn and Nanna’s Bakehouse has given us the confidence to invest further and we’re now developing three additional cottages due to be completed for 2027 – Bampi Button’s Stable, Old Saddleback Barn and The Milkshake Barn. We’ve already received bookings before they’ve even opened. Guests particularly love the dog-friendly facilities we offer, including a dog wash station and a spacious dog park.”
The visit also included St Madoc Centre in Llanmadoc, a residential and outdoor learning centre that welcomes schools, community groups and large residential bookings throughout the year.
Centre Manager, Robert Lyne, explained how the fund enabled the centre to replace outdated bathroom facilities in one of their accommodation units with fully accessible bathrooms for visitors with mobility needs and severe disabilities.
Robert said: “The funding allowed us to carry out improvements that would not have been possible otherwise. The accessible bathroom facilities have already had a real impact on the people who stay with us and have been particularly valuable for guests with additional needs.
“One of the most rewarding examples was being able to accommodate a young girl with cerebral palsy and her carer, allowing them to enjoy their stay in comfort. It’s helped make the centre accessible to a wider range of visitors and groups who want to come here and enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the Gower Peninsula.”
During the visit, Cllr Andrew Williams presented commemorative plaques to both businesses in recognition of their successful projects and their contribution to Swansea’s visitor economy.
He said: “It was a pleasure to meet Sam and Robert, who clearly go out of their way to make visitors’ stays exceptional.
“We’re delighted Swansea Council was able to support these projects through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Tourism Support Fund may have been a relatively small grant scheme, but it has delivered lasting benefits for our visitor economy and helped businesses invest in their future.
“I was proud to present plaques to Sam and Robert to recognise their achievements. Swansea Council remains committed to supporting the local tourism businesses that form such an important part of our visitor offer.”
Tourism is now worth an estimated £696 million a year to Swansea’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the county. By helping accommodation providers improve quality, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience, the Tourism Support Fund has strengthened Swansea’s reputation as a welcoming, high-quality destination for domestic and international visitors.
