SWANSEA: Flagship M&S store confirms May 30 closure date – as council leader hints at Debenhams news

The flagship Marks and Spencer store on Oxford Street in Swansea city centre will close its doors for good on Saturday 30 May, the retail giant has confirmed – bringing an end to a 69-year presence at the heart of the city.

M&S announced earlier this year that its Swansea city centre store had been underperforming for a prolonged period, and that the closure formed part of a wider programme to reshape its store estate. Around 92 members of staff were employed at the store when the decision was confirmed in February.

A spokesperson for M&S said: “Our M&S Swansea city centre store will close on Saturday, May 30. As previously announced, this decision forms part of our plans to reshape our store estate so we can invest in stores that better meet the needs of our customers. We remain committed to serving customers in Swansea through our nearby stores and online, and are working closely with Swansea Council and other local partners to explore opportunities for a future M&S presence in the city.”

The confirmation of a closing date will prompt renewed concern about the future of high street retail in Swansea, given the scale and prominence of the Oxford Street store. M&S has occupied a substantial footprint in the city centre for decades, and its loss leaves a significant gap at one of the busiest retail locations in south Wales.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said the closure was hugely disappointing, and expressed frustration that a replacement site had not yet been secured before the shutters come down. “Hugely disappointing to see M&S press ahead with closure of this store before a new location within Swansea has been secured,” he said on social media.

Stewart added that the ideal outcome would have been a seamless transition for both staff and customers. “The ideal outcome, short of the current store remaining open, would have been having a new store open that staff and customers can move to, without a gap in trade or employment,” he said. “We will continue to work with M&S to secure a new location in Swansea, as close to the city centre as possible.”

A spokesperson for Swansea Council said the authority was continuing to work with M&S to find a new site. “We are disappointed that M&S has decided to close its store at the end of May. However, we are continuing to work with M&S to find a new site for them in the city.”

Rob Stewart’s post also contained a notable tease for shoppers concerned about the future of the city centre – hinting that a significant announcement about the former Debenhams building is expected imminently. “On a more positive note expect news on Debenhams tomorrow!” he wrote.

The former Debenhams store has been the subject of ongoing redevelopment since the department store chain collapsed. Swansea Council purchased the building and has been working to bring new tenants in, with three businesses previously announced as part of the revamp.

Work to prepare the building for its new occupants began in earnest last year, with dramatic internal transformation photos showing the scale of the changes underway.

The closure has been the subject of intense political debate in Swansea since February, with MP Torsten Bell demanding staff support and a replacement store, and politicians clashing over the council’s city centre strategy in the weeks that followed.

Council Leader, Rob Stewart has since announced the sale of the former Debenhams building in the Quadrant to Centurion, with three major new tenants set to be named within days. Read the full story here.

The M&S store on Oxford Street remains open until 30 May.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

M&S to close 69-year-old Swansea store in huge shock to council
Our original report on the closure announcement in February.

M&S fightback: MP Torsten Bell demands staff support and new store for Swansea
Political pressure mounts after the closure bombshell.

Politicians demand action as M&S closure sparks row over council vanity projects
The closure triggers a wider debate about Swansea’s city centre strategy.

M&S row: Council leader accuses Senedd candidate of using job losses for deplorable election campaign
The closure becomes a flashpoint in the Senedd election campaign.

Inside Swansea’s old Debenhams: photos show dramatic transformation as revamp gathers pace
Watch for our Debenhams update – expected imminently.

Disney Store Oxford Street unveils new front window display

#DisneyStoreUK #Maythe4th #StarWars #FanthaTracks #disneystore #oxfordstreet #maythe4th 

Fantha Trackers are everywhere, and thanks to one very well-timed drive-by we can bring images of the front of the Oxford Street Disney Store in London, which has had a pre-May the 4th makeover in advance of Star Wars Day and the release of...
https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/collecting/disney-store-oxford-street-unveils-new-front-window-display/

St Christopher’s Place in Oxford St, London

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Shh… future Crossrail 2 trains beneath Oxford Street expected to be library-quiet

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/shh-future-crossrail-2-trains-beneath-oxford-street-expected-to-be-library-quiet-87994/

FLATS FUNDING BOOST: Welsh Government to pour millions into city centre flats plan at McDonald’s site and Kingsway block

Swansea is in line for a major regeneration boost after the Welsh Government confirmed funding for two high-profile developments right in the heart of the city.

The cash forms part of a £12.6 million Wales-wide package – but a significant chunk is heading straight to Swansea, targeting long-standing empty upper floors and underused buildings.

At the centre of the plans is 1 Oxford Street – the busy McDonald’s site opposite Castle Square, where empty floors above could finally be brought back to life.

Up to £4.9 million in grant funding alongside a £1 million loan has been earmarked to help transform the building, with proposals already in place to create new flats above the fast-food restaurant.

It’s a site we’ve previously reported on, where plans have been drawn up to tackle one of the city centre’s most prominent unused spaces and turn it into much-needed housing.

Just a short walk away, another key Kingsway building is also in line for change.

Phase two of the Potters Wheel development – covering 85–86 Kingsway at the junction with Dillwyn Street and St Helen’s Road – will receive up to £750,000 in grant funding alongside a £1 million loan.

The project builds on earlier work at the site, where apartments were created above the ground floor pub and a striking green wall installed as part of efforts to bring more nature into the city centre.

Now, housing association Beacon Cymru is set to push ahead with further apartments on the upper floors – continuing the shift towards city centre living.

The Welsh Government says the funding is about more than bricks and mortar.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said:

“This funding is not just about infrastructure—it is about creating real, tangible change for the people who live and work in these areas.

“By revitalising town centres, supporting local businesses, and improving public spaces, we are helping to build places where communities can thrive both socially and economically.”

She added:

“We know that strong, vibrant high streets are the backbone of wider economic growth across Wales.”

The announcement was made during a visit to the Biophilic Living project at Mowbray Yard in Swansea City Centre – a scheme already showcasing how greener design and housing can reshape urban spaces.

The latest investment is part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, which has already pumped nearly £500 million into regeneration projects across Wales since 2020.

But for Swansea, the focus is clear – bringing empty buildings back into use and creating more homes in the city centre.

For years, upper floors above shops and businesses have sat vacant, even as demand for housing continues to rise.

Now, with millions committed to two flagship sites, there’s fresh hope that parts of the city centre that have long been overlooked could finally see new life.

And with both developments targeting highly visible locations, the changes won’t go unnoticed.

For Swansea shoppers grabbing a meal on Oxford Street or passing through Kingsway, the skyline above them could soon look very different.

Greggs opens new, larger Swansea city centre shop as part of major regeneration scheme

Greggs has opened its new and improved shop today in Swansea, creating six new jobs for the area. Previously located at 241 Oxford Street, the popular bakery chain has relocated to a larger unit at 254 Oxford Street, the former H Samuel building on the corner of Union Street.

The move is part of a wider regeneration of the 254-260 Oxford Street block by developer Kartay, which acquired six properties. The refurbishment included new shop frontages, and the redevelopment of the upper floors into 33 new apartments.

The new Greggs shop features a modern new look with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Shop Manager Sally Amesbury said: “We can’t wait to welcome both Greggs fans and new customers to our brand-new shop. We’ve got an amazing range of iconic savouries, Fairtrade hot drinks, hot food and healthier choices available for takeaway, sit-in or Click + Collect.”

Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, added: “We’re excited to be welcoming customers to our new and improved shop in Swansea with six new members joining the existing team. We look forward to providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.”

The company has confirmed that any further jobs created at the Swansea shop will be posted on its careers website.

The new shop at 254 Oxford Street is open Monday to Saturday from 6am to 6pm, and on Sundays from 6am to 5pm.

Ich beantrage, die Friedrichstraße in Oxford Street umzubenennen. Das dürfte der einfachste Weg sein.

#Autofrei #AutofreiUndSpassDabei #Friedrichstraße #OxfordStreet #Berlin #London

Oxford Street pedestrianisation plan gets final official approval
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr0pjegmnlo

Tis definitief ... Steden gaan er in de toekomst heel anders uitzien.

#Londen #Oxfordstreet