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World
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| Ash trays will empty for last time at Dylan's cafe haunt7 September 2004 12 18 Source »»»The Kardomah Cafe in Swansea, one of the most famous cafes in Wales and where Dylan shared many a smoke with his artistic band of writers and musicians, is banning cigarettes altogether next month. It is a big change for a cafe which has won a place in history for its bohemian clientele, and where the smell of Woodbines was almost as distinct as the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans. Current owner Marcus Luporini even smokes occasionally himself, but says he decided to draw the line after getting sick of a smoky atmosphere in a place designed for eating and drinking. "It is the way to go for us. I don't like smoking around food," said Mr Luporini. "I think there is a place for it and I don't think it's fair on our non-smoking customers. "We sell food and coffee. We don't want the association of being somewhere to go for a fag." The Kardomah was one of a chain of cafes Dylan Thomas frequented on trips home to Swansea during his time as a fledging poet in London. It was a popular haunt, and was even built on the site of the church where his parents had married. He soon befriended such local artists as Fred James, Vernon Watkins and Daniel Jones. They collectively became known as the "Kardomah Gang" after the cafe. They used to meet in the Castle Street outlet near the old South Wales Daily Post offices where Dylan had worked before concentrating full-time on his creative writing. The current owner says that he would not have been an ideal customer by modern standards, simply using the cafe as a place to smoke and write all day. But Mr Luporini said that despite the current mood moving towards banning smoking in public places, it had still been a very hard decision to take. "It's been on our minds for several years," he said. "It has been a decision that has taken years to come to." Mr Luporini said there had been a mixed reaction from his customers who have until October 4 to get used to the idea. "We will be non-smoking in normal hours. The non- smokers are very pleased but some smokers have said they will take their business elsewhere. "We will lose out on some custom," added Mr Luporini, who is not worried about what Dylan would have made of the change. "We have carried on the traditional values of the old Kardomah," said Mr Luporini. "Dylan was a smoker and a bit of boozer, not an ideal customer. "He would have sat here all day smoking and writing poetry." Dylan expert Jeff Towns said the poet would be bemused by the cafe's change of image. "The boys used to go in for their coffee dashes and cigarettes; there was always the ubiquitous Woodbine," he said. "They went to the Kardomah when the bars were shut and they couldn't get a drink. "The idea of not being able to have a fag there would definitely put them off."
Gareth Mrogan, The Western Mail
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