New data shows at least 37 firms set up shop in Swansea City Centre in 20 months – almost TWICE as many that closed in same period

Almost twice as many new businesses have opened up than have shut in Swansea City Centre the past 20 months, according to new data from Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), with many of the new ventures helping to make the area a mecca for foodies. 

New retail and hospitality ventures that have opened their doors in the heart of Swansea from February 2020 include businesses such as Toyland, Postiano Express, Driftwood, Taco Bell and Founders & Co.

Recently opened foodie businesses Foodie businesses recently opened include the Foodie Room, 00 Coffee, Jamaica Kitchen and Albania Kitchen.

Other business opened in the past 20 months include The Entertainer, Mazza Treats, Utopia, Ace of Fades and The Crazy Baker.

ALDI recently opened a new store at Parc Tawe, and Poundland also opened a new outlet on Oxford Street.

Some other office-based firms have set up in the city centre in the same period, while 19 retail and hospitality firms have closed their doors.

Andrew Douglas, Operations Manager at Swansea BID said: “It is easy to just go along with the narrative that the city centre is beleaguered, but at Swansea BID we spend much of our time out on the streets, liaising with businesses, and we see green shoots sprouting up all the time.

“Entrepreneurs are choosing our city centre as a place they can establish successful ventures of all kinds. We are pleased, for example, to see so many great food outlets in our city centre, which are all adding to the growing reputation Swansea is gaining as a great place for excellent street food and more.

“Of course, all town and city centres are going though challenging times and we have seen, by our estimation, 19 firms cease trading in the BID area during this 20-month period, many of which are larger chains dealing with the pressures in the wider national economy. 

“Let’s not be complacent – it is important to be vocal and positive about the bright future being built for Swansea as we speak, so potential investors have confidence that they will be successful here.”