Residents and community groups asked to help shape future of old High Street shops

A row of run-down former commercial premises on Swansea’s High Street have been given a much needed make-over and residents and community groups are now being asked for their suggestions on their future use.

Swansea Council has taken on the three empty units and has brought them back-up to standard to create a community hub.

The council is now inviting anyone who is interested to come and meet with us at a session outside the units, to talk about ideas as to how they can be used by the community.

Officers from the Community Safety team and other departments will be on hand between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday June 30 and between 4pm and 7.30pm on July 1.

Alyson Pugh, Swansea Council’s Joint Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities, said: “The units could support a wide-variety of uses from social enterprises such as a community café, shop or bakery to ‘pop up’ spaces for creative activities.

“They are well placed to create a safe space for outreach work and youth engagement, they could be used for employability training and support, while the yard space to the rear could house a grow-your-own project.

“We have already had interest from our partners in the voluntary and charity sectors who have ideas but what we really want is input from those living nearby.

“Like many places High Street has its challenges but there is already plenty going on with the developments around the railway station and the council’s exciting plans for the historic Palace Theatre.

“With the help of residents I’m sure the community hub will be another very positive step forward.

Joint Cabinet Member Louise Gibbard added: “The team would love to see as many residents as possible during the pop-in sessions and we will show them what the space has to offer and talk through any ideas they have and how we could support them.”

Letters have gone out to residents in the immediate vicinity informing them of the sessions but anyone will be welcomed.

Anyone who cannot attend can still have an input by emailing ourhighstreetswansea@gmail.com or by writing to: Matthew’s House, PO Box 696, Swansea, SA9 1PQ

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