Library and Archives amongst first tenants of new city centre hub as planning approved

Proposals for a new central Swansea location for the city’s main library and other key services took a big step forward today.

The plans, for Oxford Street’s former BHS/What! building were given the go-ahead by planners.

The council say that work can now start in earnest to convert the building to offer people convenient access to key services from across the council and other organisations.

Council services being considered to relocate there include Swansea Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service and the Contact Centre.

All are now accessed by the public at the Civic Centre which is due to be redeveloped as part of the city’s council-driven £1bn regeneration.  

Other services due to move to the hub include the council’s Revenue and Benefits service, Housing Options and Tenancy Support Unit (TSU), Employability, Life-long Learning and Local Studies and Family History services. 

The council say that staff have been told, and that they and the public will be kept up to date on plans. The council added that they continue to consider options for their future locations of other Civic-based services.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “The transformation of this building is hugely exciting. 

“It will create a fantastic new library and local services hub in the city centre, right next to the new Castle Square Gardens. 

“There will be tangible benefits for the community and the council through the relocation of the library as well as a number of other key public and third party support services into a single building with an open and welcoming environment.

“The project will be a fine example of sustainable city centre redevelopment, reinvigorating existing buildings, and reducing carbon use in the fight against climate change.”

Cllr Stewart added: “This first group of customer-facing services illustrates how useful the hub will be to the public.

“Many services will be easier to access in a more welcoming environment – and no services will be lost in the move.

“The development will bring increased footfall for city centre businesses, creating and maintaining city centre jobs; it’s a key factor in our aim to regenerate Swansea.” 

Plans for the hub reveal a striking fresh design just yards from a new-look Castle Square Gardens, Kingsway and Wind Street. It’ll be a short walk from the Quadrant bus station and other public transport services.

The designs by architects Austin-Smith:Lord Ltd on behalf of Swansea Council reveal a new look for the former BHS/What! building.

Designers say the appearance of the structure – built in the 1950s – will have impact appropriate to a public building, with open and active shop frontages to maintain vibrancy to Oxford St and Princess Way.

The ground floor exterior is largely windows and that upper floors feature large glazed openings to show activity and a welcoming ethos.

Cladding will give the building a more consistent look than at present. Translucent cladding could be backlit to act as a beacon to help attract visitors.

There will be a green wall and planting on a roof area.

Inside, the library will act as a “spine” and there’ll be a feature grand central staircase.

Contractors began preparatory work on site in October – and the building could open in its new guise next year.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)