Big Apple kiosk (Mumbles, Swansea Bay, Wales, 1930s-present)
Cidatone (sometimes incorrectly stated as “Cidertone”) was a UK company in the 1930s that wanted to promote its apple cider drink. It developed “Big Apple” refreshment kiosks in Aberavon, Porthcawl, Trecco Bay and Barry, but the one at Mumbles (Swansea Bay on the southern coast of Wales) is the only one that survives. The Cidatone slogan “DRINK YOUR APPLE A DAY” was painted on the exterior.
The Mumbles “Big Apple” was painted orange by pranksters in 2006. A Ford Fiesta ploughed into it in August 2009, but it was rebuilt. In 2019, the Welsh Government heritage body Cadw officially recognized the “Big Apple” as a landmark structure.
Similar “Big Apple” roadside attractions include a “Big Red Apple” in Cornelia, Georgia (1926-present), a “Big Apple” that was in Wathena, Kansas (1928-1940), a “Big Apple” at Robinette’s Apple Haus in Grand Rapids, Michigan (1973-present), a “Big Apple” tourist information booth in Meaford, Ontario, Canada (1974-present), a “Big Apple” in Thulimbah, Queensland, Australia (1978-present), a “Big Apple” in Colborne, Ontario, Canada (1987-present), a “Big Apple” at the Big Apple Cafe & Event Centre in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand (1995-present), a “Big Apple” in Medina, New York (2000-present), a “Big Apple” at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (2008-present), “La Mela Reintegrata” or “The Apple Made Whole Again” at Central Station in Milan, Italy (2015-present) and the “Big Apple of New England” at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts (2019-present).
Wikipedia: Mumbles
Mumbles (Welsh: Mwmbwls) is a headland sited on the western edge of Swansea Bay on the southern coast of Wales. The name Mumbles is also applied to the district encompassing the electoral wards of Oystermouth, Newton, West Cross, and Mayals. (...) The ‘Mumbles Mile’ is a stretch of road notable for its concentration of pubs.
British Listed Buildings (UK)
The Big Apple Kiosk
A Grade II Listed Building in Mumbles (Y Mwmbwls), Swansea
(...)
History
Thought to have been constructed in the 1930s as a promotional kiosk for a cider (Cidertone) brand with similar kiosks across the UK, including in S Wales ones at Barry and Porthcawl. This example is a rare survivor. Damaged by a Ford Fiesta in 2009 but subsequently restored and repainted.
27 September 1997, The Independent (London, UK), “A sober view of Swansea” by Simon Calder, pg. 14:
Join the main road here. You pass Neptune’s nightclub, which marks the end of the Mumbles Run for those who make it this far. Carry on around to the Big Apple; nothing to do with New York, but a concrete refreshment stand in the shape of a giant Golden Delicious. A driveway drops from here to the huddle of buildings around the end of Mumbles Pier.
Wales Online
Swansea’s famous Big Apple ice cream shack is now a listed building
It won’t be going anywhere
By Richard Youle Local Democracy Reporter
18:02, 25 MAR 2019UPDATED09:03, 5 APR 2019
(...)
Cadw said it had listed the elliptical concrete building for “its special architectural interest as a rare and unusual example of a seaside refreshment kiosk”.
It added: “Important also for its historic interest for being an iconic feature from the heyday of seaside entertainment and the tourist attractions of Mumbles.”
The kiosk was built in the early 1930s to promote a cider brand called Cidertone.
BBC News
Big Apple kiosk in Mumbles granted listed building status
Published 26 March 2019
A distinctive 1930s ice cream kiosk which was painstakingly repaired after a car crashed into it 10 years ago has been granted listed building status.
The Big Apple at Mumbles has been one of Swansea’s most recognisable landmarks for generations.
The Welsh Government’s heritage arm Cadw said it was a “rare and unusual” example of a seaside refreshment kiosk.
(...)
Cadw said the elliptical concrete building had “special architectural interest” and was an “iconic feature from the heyday of seaside entertainment”.
The kiosk was built in the early 1930s to promote a cider brand called Cidertone.
A History of Mumbles
Previously Published in Mumbles Times, Aug/Sept 2020
The Big Apple
by Beverley Rogers
An Independent Researcher and local historian based in Mumbles.
(...)
But did you know that this unusual building - which originally had a long stalk attached to its top - was built in the 1930s by the company Cidatone?
It promoted its apple drink with the slogan “Drink your apple a day!” There were several apple kiosks placed around Wales and England’s coastal towns as part of a wide promotional campaign, including one at Aberavon, Porthcawl, Trecco Bay and Barry. The Mumbles Big Apple is believed to be the only survivor, which makes it unique!
Mumbles Nub News
REWIND: The history behind the iconic Big Apple
Posted: 17.02.21 at 11:15 by Beth Thomas
(...)
Located on the road that runs to Bracelet Bay, the ‘Big Apple’ kiosk has been an iconic Mumbles landmark for generations.
It is thought to have been constructed in the 1930s as a promotional kiosk for cider brand, ‘Cidatone.’ Similar kiosks could be found across the UK, including at Barry and Porthcawl – but the Mumbles kiosk is a rare survivor.