Leicester House, Glynneath

Situated in the middle of Glynneath's main street is this independent, locally owned, lovely and quirky "Craft Café & Boutique Bar"! Open since June 2026, a long narrow single open plan room has been decorated in a very strong and interesting historical theme, with wooden panelling with lots of historical memorabilia and local pictures throughout. It has several comfortable alcoves leading to a small bar alongside a small kitchen servery at the rear. Its name is a nod to the buildings original ownership.

Its open for breakfasts until 1pm, when lunches are available on Tuesdays to Sundays. Alcohol service starts at 11am. Sadly there is no room for Cask ale! Although bottled ale may be available.

Previous Building History: © Leicester House Website.

14 High Street - A Building with History!

1935 - Blodwen M. Jones, Boot & Shoe Dealer — “Blod” to her regulars

Later

The town’s bank, for half a century

2021 - The doors closed.

2026 - Restored by hand, and open again!

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’ve brought it back. Leicester House has been 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.