Saturday, August 08, 2026
From copperworks to distillery
The remains of this complex, originally developed by Vivian and Sons, consists of a core Grade II listed building and additional Grade II listed structures on a 12 acres (4.9 ha) site. As Wikipedia relates the history of this site is over 200 years old:
The Hafod works was founded in 1810 by the Cornishman himself John Vivian. During the 19th century, this was the largest copper works in the world, employing over 1,000 people. The rival Morfa works was established in 1835 by Williams, Foster and Co., and the two adjacent sites combined in 1924 under Yorkshire Imperial Metals.
Swansea was core to the global copper industry, and by 1823 10,000 of Swansea's 15,000 residents were supported by the copper industry. By 1883 there were 124 works including 12 copper works in the Lower Swansea Valley. But as raw geological resources had waned in South Wales, it became more economic to produce copper elsewhere. In 1971 the Lower Swansea Valley Project had started to transform the most derelict industrial landscape in Britain, resulting in the closure of the rolling mills in 1980.
The former rolling mills were converted into the Landore Collection Centre, part of Swansea Museum.
At its 19th Century peak, Swansea produced 90% of all the world's copper.
Discussions to restore the site started sixteen years ago, leading to plans to re-develop the Morfa side of the site into a distillery and visitors' centre for the Penderyn brand being approved in 2019.. The project was part-funded by a £3.75m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.
Other parts of the copper works have also been worked on; the Musgrave Engine House and Vivian Engine House were made safe and restoration is now underway, while the Morfa Bascule Bridge, which was built in 1909 and designated as a Scheduled Monument, is in the process of being returned to working condition.
The Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses, built in 1860 and in about 1920 respectively, formed "an integral part of Swansea's heritage", the council added.
A council spokesperson said they had saved the buildings from "ongoing decay" several years ago, with a new river pontoon added nearby.
The Musgrave structure, which is a scheduled ancient monument, contains the rare Musgrave Engine, said by the council to be the UK’s only one of its kind to remain in its original location.
The engine's external elements would be protected with a covered shelter, with Wardell Armstrong acting as the council's consultants for the scheme.
Work is also planned to preserve two tall neighbouring chimneys.
Meanwhile, the Vivian Engine House would feature a mezzanine floor, while a new building would link the two engine houses and an outdoor terrace would be created.
These developments would, the council said, make it suitable for a range of uses, including restaurants and cafes, exhibition-style space and shops.
The council said it believed the loco shed, which was built in the 1800s, had possibly been last used around 1980.
The proposals would involve the restoration and reconstruction of the existing building, which the council said had suffered structural damage after being disused for "many years".
The restored loco shed could then have "a range of possible future uses", a council spokesperson added.
The development would also include the building of new access routes from the copperworks site, along with landscaping and the fitting of sustainable new drainage.
Nearly two years on and the council's website reports that huge progress has been made in restoring the historic laboratory building:
Contractors have spent recent months carefully repairing and enhancing the structure, with a new Welsh slate roof due to be installed next.
The project is expected to be completed this year, after which the building will be ready for fitting out by a future occupier.
The Laboratory Building once played a key role in the world-famous copperworks that helped put Swansea on the global industrial map.
The council also report on progress in restoring the bascule bridge with construction expected to start soon:
The upcoming phase is intended to complete restoration of the structure, including repairs to timber trestles, the replacement of some bridge elements, and the lifting of the historic bascule span back into place using a specialist crane operation.
Once complete, the bridge will be brought back into use as a public footpath and cycle track, helping to improve access and connectivity along the river corridor.
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