Pop In Cafe

19/07/2026

Aberavon Summer by the Sea starts this Monday! 🌊☀️

From Monday 20th July until Saturday 29th August the seafront will be packed full of free family entertainment, live music, circus workshops, fireworks, markets, fitness sessions and more.

Here's what's coming up:
🎪 Circus workshops and roaming entertainers
🎶 Live music throughout the summer
🎆 Fireworks displays
🦸 Superhero and mascot days
🛍️ Aberavon Market
🌊 Festival of the Sea
🎠 Studts Funfair (20 July - 9 August)
📍 Aberavon Seafront
📅 20th July – 29th August

We'll be sharing weekly line-ups, entertainment schedules and event highlights throughout the summer, so stay tuned and keep an eye on our page for the latest updates.

19/07/2026

🏊🇬🇧 A huge congratulations to one of our regular Pop-In Café customers, Karl Lewis, who proudly represented Great Britain today at the European Triathlon Championships in Banyoles, Spain.

What an incredible achievement to wear the GB colours and compete against some of Europe's very best athletes. Everyone here at the Pop-In Café is incredibly proud of you, Karl!

Well done from all of us – we're looking forward to seeing you back in the café soon (you've definitely earned a hearty Pop-In breakfast! 🍳🥓)

👏 Congratulations, Karl! 🇬🇧

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

Some great news for the community👏👏👏

𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐎𝐓 & 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐔𝐊 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄!

I am extremely proud to announce that Port Talbot and the Afan Valley have been SHORTLISTED for UK Town of Culture!

Out of nearly 400 towns to enter, we have made the final 15!

This represents a huge achievement. The 15 shortlisted towns will now each get £60,000 to develop their full bids, working closely with the community throughout the process.

Our area has produced world-famous acting legends and played home to inspirational cultural organisations. Now we are telling our story and bringing the spirit of Port Talbot and the Afan Valley to the rest of the nation.

I’m brimming with pride and delight that we are one of only 15 towns from the 398 entries to have been shortlisted – a phenomenal achievement. We made a strong case, and we really had to considering that less than 5% of the bids submitted made the cut!

The fact that we’re in the top 5% just shows how much our magnificent town and community has to offer.

Now we’re in it to win it! Securing £3m of UK Government funding would help us further develop and celebrate Port Talbot and the Afan Valley, by renewing our industrial heritage, supporting our creatives, and nurturing proud and resilient communities.

04/07/2026

🌍✈️ More Pop-In Café towels and merchandise have headed off on holiday! 🏖️

Wherever you're going, don't forget to pack a little bit of the Pop-In. 😎

If you take your towel or merchandise away with you, send us a photo – we love seeing where the Pop-In ends up next! 📸❤️

01/07/2026

Dam it!!!! Was going to.post this and Harry kane scored.⚽️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
( got the tune stuck.in.my head now)🤣

30/06/2026

🌴 Even when he's away, the Pop-In Café isn't far behind! 😄

One of our top customers, Ian Hinder , has been away this week but missed the Pop-In so much he had to take one of our beach towels with him! 😂 Great effort, Ian – we love it!

If you're heading off on your holidays, why not take a bit of the Pop-In with you too? 🌞🏖️

🧺 Pop-In Café beach towels are available from the café. Don't forget to send us your holiday photos – we love seeing where they end up!

29/06/2026

A controversial subject, have your say!!!

Have your say on dog access rules at Aberavon seafront
Residents and visitors can now have their say about rules applying to dogs and owners at Aberavon beach and promenade.

The Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) aim to maintain the safety, cleanliness and enjoyment of the popular seafront for all users.

The proposals would replace existing orders that are due to expire, ensuring that appropriate controls remain in place.

What is being proposed?

🔵Current seasonal restrictions on the main beach would continue. Dogs would remain prohibited from the main section of Aberavon Beach between 1 May and 30 September each year, helping to protect bathing water quality and provide a safe environment for families and visitors during the busiest period.

🔵The requirement for dogs to be kept on leads on the promenade during the same summer period would also remain in place.

🔵In addition, the council is seeking views on a potential change to extend the existing ‘dogs on leads’ requirement on the promenade so that it would apply throughout the year, rather than only during the summer months.

Listening to all views:

We recognise that Aberavon seafront is valued by a wide range of users, including dog owners, and is keen to hear balanced views. The consultation is intended to gather feedback from all perspectives to help make an informed decision.

Whilst many residents support measures to ensure a safe and welcoming environment, we understand that any restrictions may be a concern for some dog owners who regularly use the promenade throughout the year. The current restrictions seek to strike a balance between the needs of recreational beach users and dog owners with approximately half of the beach facing restrictions and half being dog-friendly.

Aberavon currently has a Seaside Award and assuming water quality continues to be rated as excellent there are aspirations to apply for Blue Flag status, which would bring a higher level of recognition and standards. Keep Wales Tidy has confirmed a full dog restriction is required to meet Blue Flag standards and therefore a timed restriction (i.e. 9am – 6pm) as some have been requesting, would not be possible. The consultation will include the opportunity for residents and visitors to suggest alternative approaches.