The 13 interior images, taken as contractors near the end of the strip‑out phase, show the building completely hollowed out: escalators gone, ceilings exposed, and entire floors cleared of fittings, walls and partitions. What was once a maze of cosmetics counters, clothing rails and cafés is now a vast, echoing shell waiting for its next chapter.
A team from Andrew Scott Ltd, working on behalf of Swansea Council, is now close to finishing the demolition‑style clear‑out. The move paves the way for the next stage — a full landlord fitout — allowing future tenants to move in far faster once final agreements are signed.
Plans include splitting the ground floor into two new retail units for nationally recognised brands, while the upper floors are being lined up for a major leisure operator. Talks with prospective tenants are said to be “advanced”, with announcements expected once permissions are secured.
(Image: Swansea Council)
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:
“We know how much this building means to residents and city centre businesses, which is why we stepped in to secure it with support from the Welsh Government after Debenhams went into administration across the country.
The strip‑out works are now largely complete and our focus now is moving to a landlord fitout so prospective tenants can move quickly into their own fitout phase once agreements are finalised.
Bringing this key building back into use is a major step towards creating a vibrant, thriving city centre. Not only will it provide high‑quality retail and leisure spaces, but it will also generate jobs, increase footfall and encourage further investment.”
The stripped‑back photos show just how extensive the transformation has been — bare floors stretching the length of the building, exposed steelwork, and the last remnants of the old department store removed as the site prepares for its new identity.
Steve Rees, Operations Director at Andrew Scott Ltd, said:
“We’re proud to be involved in the regeneration of such a landmark building.
Projects like this play a vital role in revitalising city centres while supporting local jobs and skills.
We have worked closely with our local supply chain partners ensuring the benefits of the investment are felt across the community. Our expertise in large refurbishment projects will contribute to a new retail and leisure facility that will have lasting benefits for Swansea.”
The Debenhams overhaul is the latest in a string of major city‑centre revivals, following the restoration of the Palace Theatre, the 71/72 Kingsway development — now 80% let — and the opening of Y Storfa, the new community services hub inside the former BHS building.
With the interior now stripped back to its bones, the next few months will determine how quickly the old Debenhams can reopen its doors — and which new names will take over one of Swansea’s most iconic retail spaces.
Another waste of money by Swansea council, just as bad as Carmarthen CC
More virtual signalling. All these projects and same contractors yet places remain empty. Are we going back to the days of the 70’s and we all know what happened then? Meanwhile the Mumbles are kept happy while the rest of Swansea remains a car crash. How is 71/72 Kingsway going, still empty. All that money wasted on the Palace for nothing beneficial to Swansea residents.