Thousands flock to new city centre hub as Y Storfa officially opens

The former BHS department store on Oxford Street has been transformed into a buzzing community hub, bringing the city’s Central Library, housing services, archives and advice centres together under one roof.

Crowds pour in since doors opened

Y Storfa has been open since December 1 and has already welcomed thousands through its doors. Social media has been flooded with praise from locals.

Visitor Pat Baldrian said:

“I really like it. I’ll be a regular visitor – it’s so convenient whilst in town.”

Ronny Oner added:

“It was super busy when we popped in to have a gander.”

Ministers cut the ribbon

The hub was formally opened today (December 17) by Julie James MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, alongside Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart and cabinet member Elliott King.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“It’s fantastic that Y Storfa has enjoyed successful public and formal openings – and that so many people have already visited and given us great feedback. It’ll deliver essential services to people from across Swansea and will help drive new business to nearby traders. It’ll be even better when we complete our ongoing transformation of the neighbouring Castle Square which will soon be greener and more welcoming than ever.”

Services under one roof

Inside Y Storfa, visitors will find the city’s Central Library, a children’s library with sensory play, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options and Housing Support, plus bases for Careers Wales and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot. Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library has also moved in.

To mark the opening, an exhibition in the community event space highlights the building’s history and the changing face of the city centre.

Praise from partners

Jayne Bryant, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for housing and local government, said:

“With the opening of Y Storfa, we’re bringing essential services together under one roof – making support more accessible while creating a vibrant hub that strengthens Swansea’s community and boosts local businesses. I’m proud that our Welsh Government Transforming Town programme helped to fund this project, and I’m delighted that so many residents of all ages are already using this fantastic space.”

Caroline Newman, chief officer of Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, said:

“Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot are already settling in to Y Storfa. Access for clients is much easier and the surroundings warm, bright and welcoming. Having the right environment is far more conducive to helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Sian Williams, head of Cultural Collections at Swansea University, said:

“We are delighted that Y Storfa will be the new home of the South Wales Miners’ Library. Our new location will mean these remarkable collections — rich in stories of Wales and Swansea’s industrial and cultural heritage — are even more accessible. We look forward to collaborating with Swansea Council colleagues and the other Y Storfa tenants to engage new audiences, inspiring and informing future generations.”

A new heartbeat for the city

With hundreds of nearby parking spaces and easy access to public transport, Y Storfa is set to become a central hub for Swansea life.

Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said:

“It has been fantastic to see Y Storfa buzzing with life since it opened. Delivering this vibrant space in the heart of Swansea city centre embodies our commitment to creating sustainable, community‑focused facilities that will benefit future generations for decades to come.”

The council says the hub will grow even further once the neighbouring Castle Square is transformed into a greener, more welcoming public space.

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Y Storfa opens in Swansea city centre as council services move from Civic

The facility is part of the authority’s £1bn regeneration programme and brings together a range of services under one roof, including the city’s Central Library, Housing Options, Housing Support, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service. Careers Wales, Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library also have bases there.

Council leader Rob Stewart described Y Storfa as “a great city centre space for the people of Swansea to access services they use day in day out,” adding that it would “make the city centre an even better place to visit.”

The project has been funded in part by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, with construction led by Kier. Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said the company was “incredibly proud to see Y Storfa open its doors to the public, providing a vital community space right at the heart of the city centre.”

Wendy Williams of Careers Wales said the move would make it easier for residents to access free careers advice in a central location, while Caroline Newman of Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot said the relocation would “improve accessibility and create opportunities for collaboration.”

Services available at Y Storfa

• 📚 Swansea Central Library
• 🏠 Housing Options and Housing Support services
• 📜 West Glamorgan Archive Service
• 🎓 Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library
• 💼 Careers Wales advice centre
• ⚖️ Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot
• Other council services relocated from the Civic Centre

Note: Registration offices and bereavement services remain at the Civic Centre until further notice.

The opening means there is now no public access via the front doors of Swansea Civic Centre. Council services previously based there have transferred to Y Storfa, although registration offices and bereavement services will continue to operate from the Civic until further notice.

The council says redevelopment plans for the Civic Centre are still being worked on and will be announced once finalised.

#archives #bhs #careersWales #centralLibrary #citizensAdvice #civicCentre #featured #housingOptions #housingSupport #library #oxfordStreet #princessWay #swansea #swanseaCouncil #swanseaUniversityMinersLibrary #westGlamorganArchiveService2 #yStorfa

Housing services set to join Y Storfa community hub in city centre

The move will see both services join a growing list of community-focused organisations based at Y Storfa, the council’s flagship hub currently taking shape in the former BHS unit on Oxford Street.

Services to remain open during transition

The council has confirmed that Housing Options and Housing Support will continue operating from their current High Street base until the relocation takes place. Once the move is complete, both services will be available at Y Storfa without interruption.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Swansea Council’s Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said the new hub would offer a more accessible and joined-up experience for residents.

“The Y Storfa development on Oxford Street will be a modern, accessible hub that brings a range of community services together under one roof in the heart of Swansea,” she said.

“It’s been designed to make it easier for residents to get the help they need, all in one convenient location.”

An opening date for Y Storfa — and the final day of operations at the High Street office — will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Supporting residents at risk of homelessness

The Housing Options service focuses on preventing homelessness wherever possible. It offers advice and practical support to help people remain in their homes or find suitable alternative accommodation.

The Housing Support service provides free, housing-related support to anyone aged 16 and over living in Swansea. This includes help with budgeting, benefits, rent arrears, setting up home, accessing education or work, and addressing issues such as domestic abuse or substance misuse.

Part of a wider regeneration

Y Storfa is one of several major projects forming part of Swansea’s £1bn city centre regeneration. The hub will also house Swansea Central Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Citizens Advice, Careers Wales, and the council’s customer contact centre.

The development is supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme and aims to bring services together in a central, accessible location close to public transport, cycle routes and parking.

For more information about the Y Storfa scheme and the services relocating there, visit www.swansea.gov.uk/ystorfa.

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#callCentre #CareersWales #CastleSquare #CitizensAdvice #ContactCentre #HighStreet #homelessness #housing #HousingOptions #HousingSupport #OxfordStreet #Swansea #SwanseaCentralLibrary #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #TransformingTowns #WestGlamorganArchiveService #YStorfa

Fly-through video reveals first look at Swansea’s new Y Storfa community hub

A major regeneration project is taking shape in the heart of Swansea city centre, with the former BHS store on Oxford Street being transformed into Y Storfa, a modern community services hub.

The scheme, led by Swansea Council with Kier Group as main contractor, will bring together a wide range of facilities under one roof. Alongside a new central library, Y Storfa will also host the council’s contact centre, Housing Options, revenues and benefits, lifelong learning, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

Non-council tenants will include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library, making the building a one‑stop destination for learning, advice and community support.

First look inside

The newly released CGI fly-through highlights the building’s striking exterior and welcoming internal spaces. Viewers are given a first glimpse of the main reception, children’s library, open‑plan library, contact centre, meeting rooms, and a modern conference and events space.

The design also includes accessible lifts to every floor, ensuring the hub is fully inclusive.

Earlier this year, Swansea Bay News published exclusive photos showing the progress of the build (Inside Y Storfa), while a previous update charted how the scheme was taking shape on site (Y Storfa community hub takes shape).

Library move from Civic Centre

To prepare for the relocation, Swansea’s central library at the Civic Centre will close from Monday 20 October. Staff will use the closure period to transfer collections and set up the new facility.

As reported by Swansea Bay News last month (Central Library preparing for move), the move marks the end of an era for the Civic Centre site, which is earmarked for future redevelopment.

“A place where people can come together”

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the project is part of the city’s wider £1bn regeneration programme.

“Swansea city centre needs more footfall to support its existing traders and help attract new shops and other businesses in future.

“Y Storfa will be a place where people can come together – to learn, access important services, or take part in community life in a modern and welcoming space. By bringing services like the library, archives, Housing Options and others together under one roof, it’ll make life easier for many residents and create opportunities for people of all ages.”

Linked to wider regeneration

The development is located close to car parks, bus stops and cycle routes, making it easily accessible. An official opening date will be announced soon.

Cllr Stewart added that the move will also pave the way for the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site on the waterfront, with regeneration partners Urban Splash currently working on proposals.

Funding for Y Storfa includes support from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.

Related articles

• Swansea Central Library preparing for move to Y Storfa hub
• Y Storfa community hub takes shape in Swansea city centre
• Inside Y Storfa: Photos show progress at community hub

#archives #BHS #callCentre #CareersWales #CentralLibrary #CentralLibraryMove #CentralLibraryRelocation #CitizensAdvice #CitizensAdviceCymru #CivicCentre #CllrRobStewart #ContactCentre #featured #HousingOptions #KierGroup #OxfordStreet #PrincessWay #regeneration #SouthWalesMinersMuseum #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TransformingTowns #WestGlamorganArchiveService #YStorfa

Y Storfa community hub takes shape in Swansea city centre

Progress continues on Swansea’s flagship community services hub Y Storfa, with key features now emerging at the former BHS building in Oxford Street.

The development is part of Swansea Council’s £1bn regeneration programme and will bring together a wide range of public and third-sector services under one roof.

Recent construction milestones include the installation of a striking three-storey steel stairway, beach hut-style meeting pods for Careers Wales, internal and external windows, and new cladding panels. The work is being carried out by main contractors Kier Group and remains on track for completion this year.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s great to see progress being made on our repurposing of this very large city centre site for public services. Y Storfa will be a fantastic location for people from across the city to access essential services.”

Once open, Y Storfa will house council-run services including the central library, a new children’s library, Housing Options, lifelong learning, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, and the contact centre. Non-council tenants will include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.

The hub is designed to be easily accessible, located close to car parks, bus stops and cycle routes. It is expected to boost footfall for nearby businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of the city centre.

Cllr Stewart added: “This area of the city centre is being transformed with a great mix of public and private sector investment. Castle Gardens is going to be greener and much more welcoming, there are plans for new homes above McDonald’s, and new homes and businesses are being created at the former Castle Cinema.”

The Y Storfa project is supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.

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#BHS #CareersWales #CentralLibrary #CitizensAdviceCymru #CllrRobStewart #construction #HousingOptions #KierGroup #Library #SouthWalesMinersMuseum #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaLibraries #WestGlamorganArchiveService #YStorfa

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