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Kev Johns makes emotional first public appearance since stroke — to open new CK store for community he loves

It has been three months since Kev Johns MBE suffered a stroke that left Swansea holding its breath. On Thursday, the city got the moment it had been waiting for — Kev was back.

The much-loved entertainer, radio host, panto star and Swansea City matchday announcer made his first public appearance since his stroke in February at the official opening of the new CK Foodstores in Bynea — a store that carries the message “Proud to serve Bynea” above its entrance, and a community the store says it is proud to be part of.

Kev cut the ribbon at noon and made what those present described as a wonderful address to the crowd gathered to welcome the new store.

The occasion had all the hallmarks of a proper community event — including an appearance from Mr Leek, the CK Foodstores mascot, who was on hand to welcome shoppers to the new store alongside Kev and the team.

Siany Martin, drivetime presenter on Swansea Bay Radio and a long-time colleague of Kev’s from their days together at The Wave and Swansea Sound, said it had been an emotional day. “Just look at this incredible man — who even through recovery is still here for the community,” she wrote.

The pair’s radio history runs deep — Kev has hosted a Sunday morning show on Swansea Bay Radio, and the two go back years to the former sister stations The Wave and Swansea Sound, where Kev built much of his broadcasting reputation alongside a generation of local talent.

Siany said Kev had been determined to be present for the opening because he had been part of the store’s story from the beginning — and that she echoed his words about the Bynea community and how much the store was needed there.

CK Foodstores said they could not have been more thrilled to welcome Kev to their newest store. “Kev, we’ve missed you,” the company said — adding thanks to Kev and his partner Rosie for making the effort to be there.

Kev himself described the occasion as a great honour. “Very honoured today to cut the ribbon that officially opened the excellent new CK store in Bynea,” he said.

The outpouring of warmth that followed on social media showed how much Swansea has missed him. Fans and friends described him as a legend, a miracle man and a community superstar — with one noting that a 12-year-old in their family had asked out of the blue that very evening how Kev was getting on.

One long-time supporter wrote that their first memories of Kev were as Clown Kev, then his radio shows on Swansea Sound, and his pantomime performances at the Grand Theatre — a career spanning decades that has woven him into the fabric of Swansea life.

Kev is one of Swansea’s most beloved figures — a man who has given the city his voice, his humour and his heart for more than 30 years. He is the long-serving club chaplain and matchday announcer at Swansea City, a veteran of dozens of pantomimes at the Grand Theatre, and a tireless charity champion.

In 2022 he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Swansea in recognition of his decades of community service. He has also been open about previous health challenges — in 2023 he thanked the NHS after undergoing cancer treatment, saying he was determined to keep performing.

When news of his stroke broke in February, the tributes and messages of support were immediate and overwhelming — from Swansea City supporters, from the entertainment world and from ordinary people across the city whose lives he has touched.

Thursday’s appearance was a first step — and those who were there say he looked well and was clearly moved by the warmth of the reception. The road back continues, but for one afternoon in Bynea, Swansea got its Kev back.

The new CK Foodstores opened its doors at 9am on Thursday, with the first 50 shoppers receiving a free Brace’s Bakery loaf. Suppliers including Felinfoel Brewery and Daisy Bank Dairy were also in attendance.

Kev is expected back at the Swansea.com Stadium — where he has been the voice of matchdays for years — when he is ready. Those who saw him on Thursday said he was on his way back.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea favourite Kev Johns recovering after minor stroke
Much-loved entertainer thanks supporters as he begins his recovery.

Swansea City rallies for ‘our Kev’ as fundraiser launched after stroke
Fans and friends unite to support Swansea’s best-loved entertainer as he recovers.

Kev Johns on life as Swansea’s panto dame — 30 years of sparkle at the Grand
Kev reflects on three decades of pantomime, community and what Swansea means to him.

CWMBWRLA: Plans in for 12 flats above the CK Foodstores supermarket near Cwmbwrla Roundabout

Thirty-two new flats could be built above the CK Foodstores supermarket on Pentregethin Road in Cwmbwrla — on a street that has become one of Swansea’s most troubled corners in recent years, as repeated flooding from a nearby sinkhole brought the roundabout to a standstill time and again.

Plans filed with Swansea Council under application reference 2026/0523/PRE propose converting the currently empty upper floors of the store — a prominent building near Cwmbwrla Roundabout, opposite Swansea Ambulance Station — into a mix of one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments. The ground floor shop, Post Office and car park would all stay as they are.

The store’s upper floors have sat largely unused for years, their original purpose as warehouse space long since redundant. The plans, drawn up by Prime Architecture on behalf of CK Stores Ltd, say the building is well placed for housing given its location right in the heart of Cwmbwrla, with bus stops within 50 yards and a rail link nearby.

Each of the 32 flats would have its own front door and staircase from street level. The architects say a lift could also be included, and that every flat would meet disabled access standards. The building’s exterior would be updated with new facing brickwork, zinc cladding and aluminium windows and doors.

The area badly needs the housing. Census figures show 34% of households in the immediate area are in social housing — nearly double the national average of 17.5%.

Parking for the new residents is planned to be shared with the supermarket, using the existing car park on the opposite side of Pentregethin Road.

Behind the planning application is CK Stores Ltd, whose managing director is Christopher Kiley — one of Swansea’s most colourful business figures. Kiley founded the chain in 1988 after acquiring a small store in Llandeilo, and has since built it into a network of more than 30 supermarkets across South and West Wales, turning over around £68m a year.

But Kiley is rarely far from controversy. CK Foodstores was fined £36,000 last year for serious allergen labelling breaches at its Narberth store. Before that, an ITV Wales and S4C investigation found nearly half of the chain’s stores were selling meat and fresh produce past their use-by date — in one case by 13 days. Kiley’s company agreed to be interviewed three times, then pulled out each time. Beyond the supermarkets, he made national headlines in 2015 after flying his helicopter into Heathrow’s airspace and bringing the airport to a halt, and has clashed with Swansea Council over works at his Caswell Bay estate on the Gower, including the felling of protected trees without permission.

The Pentregethin Road store sits right at the heart of what has been a deeply troubled patch. Just a street away, the old Cwmfelin Social Club — demolished after spending two years perched on the edge of a giant sinkhole — repeatedly caused Cwmbwrla Roundabout to flood and close, submerging cars, with engineers uncovering a hidden Victorian tramway channel beneath the site. The saga is not over yet — one lane on the roundabout and the busy Carmarthen Road remain closed to accommodate pumping equipment to prevent the flooding from returning.

The Post Office relocated to the CK Foodstores site in 2021 following the closure of nearby Manselton Post Office and would continue operating from the ground floor under the proposals.

The plans also include bird and bat boxes on the building and secure cycle storage for residents.

The application is now being considered by Swansea Council. Anyone wishing to view the documents or comment can search for reference 2026/0523/PRE on the council’s planning portal at swansea.gov.uk/planningsearch.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Supermarket chain fined £36,000 for unsafe food labelling breaches
CK Foodstores convicted after allergen labelling failures found at its Narberth store.

Demolition of Cwmfelin Social Club begins after two years on edge of giant sinkhole
The end of a long saga for a building that brought Cwmbwrla to a standstill.

Cwmbwrla roundabout closed again as floodwaters rise under amber weather warning
One of many closures that plagued the area as the sinkhole saga dragged on.

TOWNHILL: Social housing developer plans 27 affordable homes on derelict nursery site
Plans for new affordable housing on a derelict site just over a mile away in Townhill.

Editors Note
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that 32 flats were being proposed. The figure is in fact 12 flats. The article has been updated to reflect this.

Supermarket chain fined £36,000 for unsafe food labelling breaches

Environmental Health Officers from Pembrokeshire County Council identified multiple examples of non‑compliance during a routine inspection at CK’s Supermarket Ltd in Narberth on 24 July 2024.

Three products — including in‑store bakery breads and butchery items — were found to be incorrectly labelled, failing to declare allergens such as sesame seeds and sulphites in line with legal requirements.

The case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on 30 September 2025. The company entered early guilty pleas and was fined £12,000 for each of the three offences, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,849.95 in costs.

Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:

“Food allergen labelling is a legal requirement to protect consumers, especially those with serious allergies, for whom even small quantities of a particular ingredient can be lethal. We welcome the company’s early guilty pleas and the court’s sentence, and hope the level of fines imposed remind all food businesses how important it is to ensure labelling is accurate and legally compliant.”

CK Foodstores, founded in 1988 by managing director Christopher Kiley, operates more than 30 supermarkets across Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, many branded as Nisa Local.

#allergens #CKFoodstores #CKsFoodstores #EnvironmentalHealth #foodLabelling #foodSafety #HaverfordwestMagistratesCourt #NisaLocal #PembrokeshireCouncil #supermarket