About Leicester House

A New Destination for Glynneath

Leicester House is a café and bar opening in Spring 2026 at 14 High Street, Glynneath, in the heart of Neath Port Talbot. Set inside a beautifully restored 1935 heritage building, we're creating a space where the community comes together — from the first coffee of the morning to the last cocktail of the evening.

Whether you're a local looking for a new favourite spot, a walker stopping in after a day in Waterfall Country, or a visitor exploring the Vale of Neath, Leicester House is somewhere to slow down, settle in, and enjoy something crafted with care.

Café by Day

From early morning, Leicester House will serve as a speciality coffee shop and café. Expect single-origin coffees, fresh pastries baked locally, light breakfast options, and a quiet space to read, work, or catch up with friends.

Through the afternoon, we'll offer light lunches, artisan teas, homemade cakes, and weekend brunch. We're sourcing as much as we can from producers across Neath Port Talbot and the wider South Wales Valleys — supporting the businesses and farms that make this area special.

For families, remote workers, book clubs, or anyone who just wants a really good cup of coffee on the Glynneath High Street — the morning at Leicester House is for you.

Bar by Night

As evening comes, Leicester House transforms into a boutique bar. We're bringing something different to the Neath Valley — a curated selection of craft cocktails, local Welsh ales, and carefully chosen wines in a setting that feels more member's club than chain pub.

Think exposed brick, warm lighting, original features from the 1930s building, and a soundtrack that sets the mood without drowning out conversation. Whether you're celebrating with friends, enjoying a quiet drink after work, or meeting someone for a first date — the bar at Leicester House is designed to make the ordinary feel a little special.

We're proud to champion Welsh craft breweries and distilleries alongside international favourites. If it's made with passion, it belongs on our shelves.

A Building with History

Leicester House has been part of Glynneath since the 1930s. By 1935, the building at 14 High Street was home to Blodwen M. Jones, Boot & Shoe Dealer, whose large display windows showcased ladies' and girls' clothing alongside sturdy footwear for the town's mining families.

The name "Leicester House" was itself a statement of ambition — a nod to the English East Midlands city that was the heart of British hosiery and footwear manufacturing. The Jones family were woven into community life beyond the shop counter, with ties to the Glynneath Welfare Hall where miners gathered for cinema screenings, concerts, and social events.

Over the decades, the building became a Lloyds Bank branch — later Lloyds TSB, then TSB — serving as a financial backbone of the town for half a century. When its doors closed for the last time in February 2021, it joined a wave of bank closures across the South Wales Valleys, leaving Glynneath without a single branch on its High Street.

Now, we're bringing it back. Leicester House is being lovingly restored to its original character — preserving the heritage features that make it special while creating a new café and bar for the Neath Valley. It's a return to what 14 High Street was always meant to be: a place where the community comes together.

For the Community

Leicester House isn't just another café or bar — it's about investing in Glynneath's High Street. Like so many towns across the South Wales Valleys, Glynneath has seen businesses come and go. We believe a restored heritage building with a new purpose can be a catalyst for the High Street — a reason to visit, a place to linger, and a space that belongs to the community.

We're planning to host local events, support community groups, and partner with nearby businesses and producers. Whether it's showcasing local art, hosting a quiz night, or simply being the place where people meet — Leicester House is for Glynneath first.

Opening Spring 2026

We're currently in the final stages of restoration. The original features of the building are being carefully preserved — from the frontage to the interior details — while we fit out a modern café and bar that honours the building's heritage.

Want to be the first to know when we open? Join our guest list for exclusive launch event invitations and early access.

Join the Guest List →