Nowadays, we are reminded more and more that we should be eating food that is farmed and produced locally.
In an age where supermarkets are taking over, it is vital to support local traders in order to preserve not only jobs, but community spirit.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Swansea Market is still increasingly popular with locals today as it was 100 years ago, in despite of the amount of chain shops and supermarkets that threaten its existence.
Map of the market by Alicia Nugent
The centre of the hustle and bustle by Alicia Nugent
Gwyneth Morgan has lived in Swansea all of her life and regularly visits the market for many reasons: “I’ve always shopped in Swansea Market because of the layout of the place and because of the selection of food that is there- a lot of it is fresh and locally farmed”.
She added: “The stalls are nice and clean and the ambience is very good. “The market people are very helpful and very solicitous and always ready to help you.”
Freshly caught fish by Alicia Nugent
The swansea speciality- cockles and laverbread by Alicia Nugent
Swansea Market has a rich history which can be pinpointed back to almost a thousand years ago, when traders would sell livestock and products around the castle walls.
Over time, the market moved and expanded until in found its permanent home in Oxford street, until it was bombed in World War 2.
Gwyneth remembers the impact that this had on the market: “I remember it being bombed during the Second World War.
“That was devastating for Swansea because it was the main hub of gossip and meeting friends and lots of things like that.”
She also remembers how it differed from how it is nowadays: “There were big arches there at one time, and there were cockle women at the gates selling cockles in baskets and laverbread and eggs, things like that and it wasn’t covered, just sheltered with little awnings.”
Flower stand by Alicia Nugent
Shoppers browse the stalls by Alicia Nugent
As well as selling traditional, local welsh food products, the market is home to many other stalls selling anything from clothes to haberdashery, to books to pet supplies.
The current covered market building has been open since 1961, after it was rebuilt after the war, and still continues to be a busy and popular shopping destination for shoppers from all over south Wales.
See below for full interview about Swansea Market with Gwyneth Morgan:
Our City of Swansea 