Opening date confirmed for Swansea’s new Y Storfa hub

According to Swansea Council, the transformation of the former BHS building at the junction of Oxford Street and Princess Way is a key part of its £1bn regeneration programme. The authority says the project is designed to revitalise the city centre and bring services together under one roof.

“Firm opening date before Christmas”

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the opening was a major milestone:

“It’s fantastic that we now have a firm opening date for Y Storfa – and that it’ll be before Christmas. It’ll be a great new facility that’ll help make the city centre an even better place to visit. The great public interest in Y Storfa will mean added footfall for nearby traders as the festive season develops. It’ll 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.”

Services under one roof

Swansea Council says that when Y Storfa opens, visitors will be able to access the city’s Central Library, which the authority notes will include dedicated areas for children and families. The council also states that the building will house its Housing Options and Housing Support teams, alongside the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

According to the council, Y Storfa will not just feature council services. Careers Wales and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot have confirmed they will have permanent bases in the hub, while Swansea University has said its South Wales Miners’ Library is among the organisations preparing to move in over the coming weeks. The council describes these combined services as making Y Storfa a one‑stop destination for learning, advice, and community support.

Wider regeneration

Swansea Council says the opening of Y Storfa is part of a much broader transformation of the city centre. The authority points to work underway next door at Castle Square, which it describes as being redeveloped into a greener, more welcoming public space. Council leaders also highlight other recent projects they have driven, including the creation of the Swansea Building Society Arena, the redesign of The Kingsway and Wind Street, new office space at 71/72 Kingsway, and the restoration of the historic Palace Theatre.

According to the council, private developers are also investing heavily in the area. Projects cited include the Biophilic Living Building on Oxford Street, the Princess Quarter development, and the revival of the Albert Hall, which the authority says are adding to the momentum of regeneration in the city centre.

Backed by Welsh Government

Funding for Y Storfa has come from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, with construction led by The Kier Group.

The council says the hub will provide a modern, welcoming environment for residents and visitors, while boosting footfall for city centre traders in the run‑up to Christmas and beyond.

#bhs #castleSquareRedevelopment #centralLibrary #centralLibraryMove #centralLibraryRelocation #centralLibrarySwansea #kierGroup #oxfordStreet #princessWay #swansea #swanseaCentralLibrary #swanseaCouncil #swanseaRegeneration #yStorfa #yStorfaSwansea

Pupils add colour to new Swansea development

The pupils – from the school’s Ty Dyfatty campus – recently visited the Y Storfa development taking shape in Swansea city centre where they contributed to the painting work taking place inside.

Delivered by Swansea Council, the Y Storfa community service hub at the former BHS unit on Oxford Street is due to open later this year.

It will include council services such as a new central library, the contact centre, Housing Options, Housing Support, lifelong learning, revenue and benefits, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

Non-council tenants at Y Storfa are set to include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.

Working alongside local company Swansea Decorating Services, the Ysgol Calon Lân visit was organised by main Y Storfa contractor Kier Group as part of their community benefits programme.

Kier Group are a School Valued Partner of Careers Wales. The visit was part of an ongoing programme of activities to provide pupils with careers and work-related experiences.

School teaching staff were also in attendance, alongside representatives of Careers Wales.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“Y Storfa will soon be a place for the whole community, so it’s fantastic that pupils from Ysgol Calon Lân have been directly involved in shaping it.

“Their contribution has not only added colour to the building but also demonstrates the power of regeneration to create opportunities for learning and community pride.

“We’re grateful to Kier, Careers Wales and Swansea Decorating Services for making this happen.”

Teachers from Ysgol Calon Lân praised the project for boosting confidence and providing an enriching experience outside the classroom.

Mark Saunders, of Ysgol Calon Lân, said:

“This hands-on experience gave my students a valuable opportunity to learn outside the classroom, developing new skills in a real-world setting.

“The staff at the placement were incredibly welcoming and engaged with my students, making the day both enjoyable and educational.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone involved for supporting our learners and helping make this project a success.”

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

“At Kier, we’re committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where we work – and this is a great example of local engagement and impact.

“Inviting Ysgol Calon Lân pupils to Y Storfa has been a real highlight of the project.

“The pupils brought fantastic enthusiasm and a vibrant energy to the site, and we’re delighted they could play a part in helping prepare this outstanding new development for Swansea.”

Andrea John, Business Engagement Adviser at Careers Wales, said:

“Involving the pupils in the development of Y Storfa is a fantastic way of exposing them to the world of work, especially as part of the School Valued Partnership activity with Kier Group.

“Enriching experiences like this help pupils to connect what they learn in school with real-life opportunities.

“It’s fantastic to see the pupils’ creativity leaving a mark on such an important development for Swansea.”

Funders for the Y Storfa development include the Welsh Government Transforming Towns programme.

Head here for more information about Y Storfa, including FAQs.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

#CareersWales #CitizensAdvice #KierGroup #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaUniversityMinersLibrary #TyDyfatty #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.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Local businesses invited to explore work opportunities at Castle Square transformation
Explores how upcoming developments are opening doors for traders and SMEs.

Castle Square work to start as hoardings go up around site
Details the initial steps in the regeneration of Castle Square and public reaction.

Inside Y Storfa: Photos show progress at community hub
Visual update showing recent construction milestones at the Oxford Street site.

First two non-council tenants announced for Y Storfa in Swansea city centre
Careers Wales and Citizens Advice confirmed as tenants in the new public services hub.

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