Transformed city centre ‘more attractive’ for businesses

A Swansea-based not-for-profit company that specialises in regeneration says the multi-million pound transformation of the city centre is making it a better place to live, work and do business.

Debbie Green, Chief Executive of Coastal Housing Group, believes schemes like the £12m Kingsway improvement project led by Swansea Council are already making a difference by attracting interest from investors.

Debbie said: “It’s been great to see the new, greener Kingsway take shape and we’re proud to be playing a part in that by providing upgrade works at 85 Kingsway with the city centre’s first green walls and new homes just opposite on Oxford Street. It makes the city centre more attractive for businesses to invest in and also makes it a much nicer place to live or visit. 

“It’s an exciting time for Swansea with much more investment planned by the Council, Coastal and others. Our new homes on Castle Street in the city centre have just handed over and our continued regeneration work on High Street includes plans for a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre in partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board.”

Other regeneration work on-going in Swansea includes the £135m Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council and advised by development manager RivingtonHark. The scheme includes the 3,500-capacity Swansea Arena, a 1.1-acre coastal park, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, new car parking, new homes and spaces for leisure and hospitality businesses.

The council is also leading on a £3m transformation of Wind Street into a more family-friendly destination. The scheme includes the introduction of new paving, seating and greenery, with dedicated outdoor spaces for hospitality dining areas.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “What we’re seeing is a ‘Team Swansea’ approach between partners that’s transforming our city into one of the UK’s best places to live, work, study and visit.

“Coastal’s work is key to the on-going regeneration of the city. It’s contributing to a huge amount of continuous progress being made that means Swansea is well-placed to quickly bounce back from the impact of the pandemic for the benefit of local people and local businesses.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)