Third generation family business opens new restaurant with funding from Visit Wales and the Development Bank of Wales
Ameco Leisure Group, a third generation family-run business, has officially opened its latest new restaurant and bar in Mumbles.
With panoramic sea views, On the Rocks is a 150 cover bar and restaurant with a 20 metre long dining terrace overlooking Swansea Bay. The £1 million investment has been part-funded by a £470,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales and a grant of £116,000 from Visit Wales.
Currently open Wednesday to Sunday On the Rocks is located in the former rowing club and serves high-quality local produce. Employing 10 full-time and up to 40 part-time people, it is the latest project by brothers Fred and Bert Bollom who also own Mumbles Pier amusement arcade and Copperfish and café. Home to the RNLI lifeboat station, Mumbles Pier is one of the few privately-owned piers left in the UK and is being redeveloped following a major fire in August 2022.
Fred and Bert Bollom took over the Ameco Leisure Group from their father in 2015. The third generation family business was initially established by their grandfather in the early 1920’s and now employs up to 140 people in peak season.
Fred and Bert Bollom said: “It hasn’t been an easy few years for the hospitality sector but we remain focussed on growing our family business and investing in the local community with high-quality destination venues that are attractive to local people and visitors alike.
“The combination of the loan from the Development Bank and the grant from Visit Wales means that we’ve been able to create something really special with On the Rocks and we’re delighted with the feedback to date. We like to think that our grandfather would be proud of what we’ve achieved since taking over the business from our father just eight years ago, We’re also very grateful to our team who work so hard, particularly Bryony Morgans and Hannah Hunter. ”
Clare Sullivan, Regional Manager for the Development Bank of Wales in West Wales worked on the deal with Investment Executive Sally Phillips. They said: “Mumbles Pier has been part of Swansea since 1898 and is a must visit venue for locals and visitors alike. Boasting a large outdoor area with retractable canopy and ocean views, On the Rocks is another great addition to the local area and is already proving to be popular with customers who enjoy visiting the Pier.
“The new restaurant and bar really does complement the local character and charm of Mumbles so we’re delighted to have been able to work with Visit Wales to support this well-established family business with the funding required to turn their vision in to reality.”
The £470,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales came from the Wales Tourism Investment Fund. Financed entirely by Welsh Government, the £50 million fund offers loans between £100,000 and £5 million for distinctive, stand out tourism projects that align with the priorities of Welsh Government. Projects may include high quality, innovative products, all weather attractions, distinctively Welsh visitor focused experiences, innovative cultural or heritage projects, unusual places to stay and flagship attractions.
