AN iconic Welsh theatre has reopened after a £6.9 million, three-year restoration which saw ‘significant’ work carried out by Exmoor blacksmiths.

Kieren and Kyle Roberts run West Country Blacksmiths, in Allerford, and were commissioned by Swansea Council to work on the city’s historic Palace Theatre.

They removed, restored, and reinstalled the building’s listed cast iron auditorium balustrades, designed and made a replacement handrail and bottom rail, and removed and replaced cast iron guttering and downpipes.

Some of the balustrades which were restored or remade by blacksmiths on Exmoor can be seen in the re-opened Palace Theatre, Swansea.
Some of the balustrades which were restored or remade by blacksmiths on Exmoor can be seen in the re-opened Palace Theatre, Swansea. ( )

Kieren Roberts said: “We were honoured to be asked to work on this project.

“It was a big project for us and required the skills of our full team to complete, with a need to complete 3D scanned surveys of the auditoriums and CAD designing.

“There was delicate removal of the balustrades, restoration including short blasting and paint finishing, casting new balustrades, highly accurate and detailed forging and fabrication of the handrail and bottom rail, and a highly accurate and delicate installation.”

Swansea Council leader Cllr Rob Stewart said: “It is amazing to see this fantastic piece of Swansea’s heritage saved, restored, and given a new lease of life so future generations can enjoy it.

“The transformation of the Palace has been done with such care, style, and attention to detail.

“It is a real credit to all who have worked so hard to achieve this.”

The six-floor building now offers state-of-the-art workspaces designed to support tech, digital, and creative businesses.

The historic theatre stage was preserved and reimagined as a unique event space and collaborative work area.