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A high street pub forced to close due to crime earlier this year is set to reopen - with its new managers claiming they have faith the business can flourish.

The White Swan on Swansea 's High Street caused national headlines in March, when its former manager claimed drugs, violence and prostitution in the area had made him unable to continue trading , despite having only opened the business less than a year earlier.

The former old-style boozer had been given a new lease of life, putting on entertainment, and selling craft beers and locally-sourced food.

But landlord Gez Couch gave up the business after witnessing an armed incident in the street outside the property. He claimed it was the latest in a long series of incidents, including having prostitutes working near the pub, people fighting in the streets and using drugs.

However, the team behind a nearby music venue say they believe the area’s reputation is unfair, and they are confident the revamped White Swan can be a success.

Kaz and Allen Chambers also hope it will help them support the venue Creature Sound, located a short distance away off Bethesda Street - and a scheme where people can buy shares in the music venue, in a not-for-profit scheme to secure its future for years to come.

(Image: Robert Melen)

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Kaz said: “We don’t think this area is as bad as some people have said it is.

“There are a lot of families here, and although there is a problem on high street, it is no worse than many high streets throughout the UK.

"The police have been increasing patrols, although unfortunately it would seem the problem has moved on to other areas of the city.

“We are trying to build a community up here, and want people to see it hasn’t been abandoned.

“Creature Sound has some great supporters, and we hope they will share in our new venture, as well as buy into the share the scheme we are launching for the club.

“The new venture will feature a live music bar opening next week, with a Caribbean eatery being launched within a month, serving affordable family meals, and encouraging community engagement.”

Work is almost complete on the revamped White Swan, with everything inside having been recycled or reclaimed.

The new venture, which is called Jam Rock and is due to open next week, will feature a reggae rum rock bar, and host live acoustic music.

The couple hope the White Swan will compliment Creature Sound, based in the former martial arts centre, Ken Bu Kan, which has been nurturing local talent for the past 18 months .

The venue provides a recording studio package for bands, which means they can use the studio with no hourly rates and get unlimited studio time.

It also provides free use of a tour bus, which is insured for everyone to drive, its own branded guitar strings, branded beers, and a not-for-profit merchandise and graphic design project.

All the staff there are volunteers, who give their time for free.

In its short existence it has won the support of comedian Bill Bailey, who stopped by to use the studio when he was in Swansea to perform at the Grand Theatre, and Jaz Coleman, frontman of cult rock band Killing Joke.

The venue also provides showers to the homeless, and has employed someone without a home.

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But in order to continue the work and secure the future of the building, they are seeking to raise money through a community benefit society, to pay for a 100 year freehold on the property to serve the local community.

Kaz said: “Buying shares would enable us to be the first music venue to produce a regular grant to be given to its community instead of being grant funded.

“And we want to make jobs for people.

“Before we opened Creature Sound the garden there was used by prostitutes, and there were needles lying around. But all that is gone now.

“We want the White Swan to build on what we have created there, and we think there is huge potential.”

Further not-for-profit initiatives include an online TV/radio station and the opening of another venue, Wolf Rock, at a location yet to be announced.