SWANSEA: Queues from 7:30am as Søstrene Grene opens — the Danish brand’s busiest UK launch yet

Hundreds of shoppers queued in Swansea city centre on Friday for the opening of Danish lifestyle store Søstrene Grene — in what the retailer says was its busiest UK launch yet.

The Scandinavian brand opened its doors on Princess Way on the morning of 26 June, with queues forming along Castle Square for a first look inside.

The first customers were waiting from as early as 7:30am, well before the doors opened.

The ribbon is cut to mark the opening of Søstrene Grene in Swansea, with ballet dancers and musicians on hand. Image: Swansea BIDShoppers queued along the frontage in the sunshine for a first look inside. Image: Swansea BID

Søstrene Grene is known for its design-led homewares, furniture, crafts and lifestyle products, and has built a loyal following across Europe.

The Swansea store is its second in Wales, and has taken over the large Princess Way unit that had stood empty since Zara left at the end of 2024.

The opening had been keenly awaited since the brand confirmed its date in May.

Shoppers browse the new store on its opening day. Image: Swansea BID

Helen Markey, the retailer’s area manager for Ireland, Wales and Scotland, said it had been the busiest store opening she had experienced for the brand.

“Our first customers in the queue arrived as early as 7.30am,” she said. “It’s fantastic to see such a turnout and we’re sure the store will be a huge success.”

The opening was marked with a touch of theatre, with ballet dancers performing in the store and a string duo playing for the crowds outside.

The first 100 visitors through the doors received a voucher for a plant or a wool throw.

Ballet dancers performed inside the store as part of the opening celebrations. Image: Swansea BID

Swansea BID, which represents city-centre businesses, welcomed the arrival as a vote of confidence in the city’s retail offer.

Its manager, Andrew Douglas, said the opening was “fantastic news for Swansea city centre.”

He said the brand brought “something fresh and distinctive” to the city’s retail mix and showed the confidence major retailers had in Swansea.

He added that stores like Søstrene Grene acted as “a powerful draw,” with the increased footfall benefiting neighbouring businesses and the city’s hospitality sector.

Swansea BID manager Andrew Douglas (left) with Søstrene Grene Swansea store manager Neil at the opening. Image: Swansea BID

Part of a changing city centre

The opening is the latest chapter in a fast-changing corner of the city. Directly opposite, the former BHS on Oxford Street has reopened as Y Storfa, the council’s new library and public services hub, which has drawn thousands of visitors since opening.

Right next door to Søstrene Grene, the long-running transformation of Castle Square into a greener public space is well under way, with a new big screen among the plans.

It is not all good news on the high street. Just along Oxford Street, the city is still coming to terms with the closure of its Marks & Spencer store.

Other corners are in line for their own makeovers. The McDonald’s building diagonally opposite is set for a transformation, with millions in Welsh Government funding earmarked for new city-centre flats.

There are signs of life above the shops too. Plans have been lodged to add ten new flats to the upper floor of the same Princess Way building, overlooking Castle Square, as the push to bring more people to live in the heart of the city gathers pace.

The arrival also follows a busy spell for city-centre retail, with American sandwich chain Which Wich recently lining up its first outlet and card retailer Cards Direct opening in the Quadrant — while three major new tenants are expected to be named for the former Debenhams.

Inside the Scandinavian-style store, known for its homewares and crafting supplies. Image: Swansea BID

Swansea BID said it looked forward to working with the retailer and was confident it would become a popular addition to the high street.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Søstrene Grene announces opening date for city centre store
The Danish brand confirmed its Swansea launch for the former Zara unit.

New arrivals and the tenants tipped to fill the former Debenhams
Where Swansea city centre’s retail revival stands.

Work ramps up on Castle Square’s green makeover
Diggers reshape the square next to the new store.

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SWANSEA: Søstrene Grene announces opening date for city centre store 

The new store will bring Søstrene Grene’s signature Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic to Swansea, offering customers a carefully curated selection of affordable homewares, furniture, lifestyle products and craft essentials – all designed to inspire creativity and add simple, stylish touches to everyday living.  

To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers through the doors will receive a voucher for one of Søstrene Grene’s woollen throws, along with a complimentary tote bag filled with selected products. Visitors will also be able to enjoy live classical music while exploring the brand’s latest collections. 

Originating in Denmark, the brand now operates more than 400 stores worldwide and continues to expand its UK presence. With the growing demand for its distinctive in-store experience across Wales and beyond, Søstrene Grene has ambitious plans to reach a total of 100 stores in the UK within the next couple of years. 

Mikkel Grene, Group CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, comments: 

“We’re delighted to continue expanding in Wales with the opening of our Swansea store. Each new location is an opportunity to introduce more customers to the Søstrene Grene experience – a space designed to inspire creativity, curiosity and calm. 

We look forward to becoming part of the local community and welcoming customers to discover our world of thoughtful design and everyday inspiration.” 

Country Managers Norma Jacob and Richard Power, who operate Søstrene Grene stores across Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, are excited to welcome shoppers to the new Swansea store. 

“Swansea is a fantastic and creative city, making it a natural fit for Søstrene Grene. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers to our carefully curated designs and to sharing this significant moment as we expand throughout Wales.” 

Richard Power adds:

“Introducing Søstrene Grene to Swansea and waiting to see how customers find inspiration is very exciting. There’s a real sense of anticipation towards our Swansea store, one that has been apparent since announcing our opening, which makes this launch even more special.”  

Andrew Douglas, Swansea BID Manager, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to mark the announcement of Søstrene Grene’s official opening date in Swansea city centre. This is a hugely exciting moment for the city and a strong vote of confidence in Swansea as a growing retail destination. 

The arrival of such a well-loved international brand will enhance the city centre experience for local shoppers while also acting as a powerful draw for new visitors from across the region and beyond. Openings like this generate real momentum, increasing footfall and bringing wider benefits to businesses across the city centre. 

We’re incredibly proud that Søstrene Grene has chosen Swansea as part of its UK-wide expansion plans. The opening marks another important step forward in our efforts to attract high-quality, distinctive brands and continue building a vibrant, thriving city centre.”

#Business #CastleQuays #featured #PrincessWay #retail #SøstreneGrene #SwanseaCityCentre

FLYING TIGER: Firm behind former WHSmith store closure plans set to buy quirky Danish chain — we reveal what this could mean for Swansea and Carmarthen

Quirky Scandinavian brand Flying Tiger Copenhagen looks set to come under the ownership of a private equity firm that has presided over the recent collapse of several other well-known retail brands.

Modella Capital is closing in on a deal to buy the Danish variety retailer — including its two south-west Wales outlets in Swansea and Carmarthen.

The deal — first reported by The Times and tipped to be announced imminently — would add Flying Tiger’s 900 global stores to Modella’s growing portfolio. It would also expand the firm’s already substantial local footprint, with a Hobbycraft store at the Swansea West retail park in Fforestfach already in the portfolio, alongside TGJones outlets it inherited from WHSmith last year.

Who are Modella?

Modella Capital is a London-based private equity firm that has rapidly built up a portfolio of well-known British high street chains in recent years.

Its biggest acquisition was the £40 million purchase of WHSmith’s 480-store high street business in 2025, which it has since rebranded as TGJones.

Modella also owns Hobbycraft, and previously bought Claire’s Accessories and The Original Factory Shop — both of which subsequently fell into administration, resulting in hundreds of job losses.

The firm, which is chaired by retail investor Steve Curtis and run by managing director Joseph Price, operates as part of the wider Hay Wain Group — a family office led by financier Jamie Constable.

A track record of restructuring and closure

The Flying Tiger deal comes as Modella faces mounting questions over its existing retail empire.

The firm is currently pursuing a major restructuring of TGJones that, if approved by the High Court, would see up to 150 stores closed and steep rent reductions imposed on landlords at remaining sites. Modella has warned that without court approval by the end of June, the chain will go into administration.

Up to seven TGJones stores in south-west Wales are caught up in that restructuring process. The firm has already faced controversy locally after WHSmith refused to fund redundancy payments at the chain amid threats of bailiff action and tax debts.

The new TGJones chief executive, Alex Willson, who took over in April, has been openly critical of the chain’s previous management. He has described the business as having suffered a “slow death” under WHSmith ownership and said he found stores missing lightbulbs and ceiling tiles, threadbare carpets, and lifts and escalators that did not work.

Modella has pledged to invest millions of pounds in a turnaround plan if its restructuring proposal is approved by the court — and would be blocked from taking dividends from the business during the period landlords’ terms are reduced.

What this could mean for Swansea

In Swansea, Flying Tiger trades from a unit on Princess Way, in the heart of the city centre’s retail quarter.

The store sits in the same block as the newly opened Søstrene Grene store — another Danish variety retailer offering a similar product range that opened earlier this month in the former Zara unit just yards from Flying Tiger.

That puts two competing Scandinavian homeware brands within metres of one another on the same street — a direct competitive overlap that under different ownership models might not have lasted.

The same block also faces other changes. Directly across Princess Way sits Swansea Council’s recently opened Y Storfa community hub, in the former BHS unit on the corner with Oxford Street.

Next door to Y Storfa on Oxford Street, the flagship Marks & Spencer store is set to close on Saturday 30 May, ending decades of trading at the site. And just along Princess Way at the Quadrant Shopping Centre, the former Debenhams unit is expected to see new tenants announced shortly.

What this could mean for Carmarthen

For Carmarthen, the implications of any Modella restructuring of Flying Tiger could be more acute.

Flying Tiger trades from a unit at St Catherine’s Walk — the shopping centre that opened in 2010 with Debenhams as its flagship anchor store and which once promised to make Carmarthen the dominant shopping destination west of Swansea.

But since 2020, St Catherine’s Walk has seen a steady haemorrhage of national chains, including Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, River Island, Debenhams, H&M, Joules, Monsoon, Accessorize, Fat Face and Burger King — leaving an increasingly thinned-out retail offer that has been bolstered in recent years by independent traders.

The closed Debenhams store at the centre of the shopping development meanwhile sits empty awaiting conversion into a new town centre hub called Atriwm, an opening now pushed back to 2027 following Carmarthenshire Council’s £146 million capital plan.

Flying Tiger has been one of the centre’s remaining sources of footfall — a popular destination for shoppers seeking affordable gifts, homeware and stationery in a familiar, branded environment.

The “fictitious brand” controversy

The Flying Tiger deal also lands at a moment of fresh scrutiny over Modella’s operating model.

Earlier this month, The Guardian revealed that Modella is charging TGJones millions of pounds for the use of the TGJones brand name itself — a brand the firm created when it bought WHSmith’s high street business and rebranded the stores.

Modella has defended its track record by blaming “adverse government fiscal policies” and weak consumer confidence for the difficulties facing its existing retail businesses. The firm has previously said it acquires retailers in need of “significant investment” with the aim of returning them to sustainable growth, while accepting that it “won’t win every battle”.

What Flying Tiger says

Flying Tiger Copenhagen itself is a Danish-founded variety retailer best known for its colourful homeware, stationery, arts and crafts supplies, toys, gifts and party goods — typically priced at the lower end of the high street and laid out in maze-like store designs that guide customers through the entire shop floor before reaching the tills.

The brand traces its origins to a Copenhagen flea market in the 1980s, where founders Lennart and Suz Lajboschitz began selling umbrellas. The first permanent store opened in the Danish capital in 1995, with every item originally priced at 10 Danish krone.

The chain reported turnover of 5.2 billion Danish krone — around £600 million — in 2024, and employs thousands of staff globally across 30 European markets and franchise partners in the Philippines, Vietnam and Israel.

The retailer underwent a major financial restructuring in early 2025 which put control in the hands of a coalition including former chief executive Martin Jermiin, finance chief Christian Kofoed Hertz Jakobsen, and banks Danske Bank and Nordea. Jens Aarup Mikkelsen took over as chief executive in February.

What happens next

Modella has so far declined to comment on what it describes as “market speculation” about the Flying Tiger deal.

For shoppers in Swansea and Carmarthen, the takeover does not — on current information — point to any immediate change in trading at either store. Flying Tiger has been performing strongly enough at a global level to attract a substantial private equity buyer.

But what comes after a Modella takeover at any of its previous acquisitions has been less reassuring. With the TGJones restructuring still working its way through the courts, the recent administrations of Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop, and the firm’s existing Hobbycraft outlet at Fforestfach already in the portfolio, the ownership change is one shoppers in both towns will want to watch closely.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Seven south-west Wales TGJones stores at risk as chain announces 150 closures
Our coverage of Modella’s planned TGJones restructuring and its local impact.

WHSmith sells high street stores which will be renamed TGJones
When the rebrand was first announced.

Scandinavian homeware brand Søstrene Grene to open Swansea city centre store
The Danish variety retailer that opened next door to Flying Tiger in Swansea.

Carmarthen’s old Debenhams reborn as Atriwm — but opening pushed back to 2027
The slow-moving redevelopment of the former Debenhams anchor at St Catherine’s Walk.

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SWANSEA: Scandinavian homeware brand to open city centre store in former Zara unit on Princess Way

A large vacant unit in the heart of Swansea city centre is set to come back to life, with a Danish homeware and lifestyle brand confirmed as the new occupant of the former Zara store on Princess Way.

Søstrene Grene — pronounced “Sœstre-ne Greh-ne” and meaning “the Grene sisters” in Danish — already has a Welsh presence through its Cardiff store, which opened in 2024. The Swansea opening will be its second store in Wales, and an official opening date is expected to be confirmed shortly.

The brand is known for a distinctive Scandinavian aesthetic, selling a mix of design-led homewares, craft and hobby supplies, kitchenware, candles, stationery and seasonal decorations — typically at accessible price points. At the heart of its identity is the Danish concept of “hygge” — a word that roughly translates as a feeling of warmth, comfort and togetherness.

Søstrene Grene CEO and co-owner, Mikkel Grene
(Image: Søstrene Grene)

Mikkel Grene, Group CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, said the Swansea opening marked an important moment for the brand’s UK expansion. “Designed to be a welcoming and inspiring space, the Swansea store will invite customers to immerse themselves in the essence of Scandinavian living,” he said. “Visitors will also be introduced to the Danish concept of ‘hygge’, a feeling of comfort, warmth and togetherness that sits at the heart of the brand.”

The Princess Way unit has been empty since Zara vacated at the end of 2024 following the expiry of its lease. The building — known as Castle Quays — was acquired by St Mary’s Square Developments, a Swansea-based property company, at the start of 2025. Work has already been under way inside the former Zara unit to prepare it for a new tenant, and scaffolding on the building has been coming down in recent months as the refurbishment progresses.

Peter Loosmore, director of St Mary’s Square Developments, said: “When we were made aware of the interest from Søstrene Grene we felt they would be a fantastic fit for the development and would bring their quality retail offering to Swansea city centre. We are excited to see them opening soon alongside our existing tenants.”

The former Zara store at Castle Quays on Princess Way is being prepared for a new tenant
(Image: St Mary’s Square Developments)

The Castle Quays building sits at one of the busiest points in the city centre, with aspects over both Princess Way and Castle Square. It is directly opposite the council’s new Y Storfa hub — the one-stop shop for public services that opened in the former BHS store — and looks out over Castle Square, which is currently undergoing a major multimillion-pound revamp to create a greener and more welcoming public space.

County managers Norma Jacob and Richard Power, who operate Søstrene Grene stores across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, also welcomed the news. Ms Jacob said the opening marked “an exciting new chapter” for the brand in Wales, adding: “We are delighted to bring our affordable, thoughtfully curated homewares to this vibrant and dynamic city.”

Mr Power said Princess Way was “a prime city centre destination” and that the team looked forward to welcoming customers to experience the brand’s “unique Scandinavian atmosphere.”

Inside Søstrene Grene’s Cardiff store
(Image: Søstrene Grene)

The arrival of Søstrene Grene is a rare piece of good news for Swansea’s city centre retail scene at a difficult time. The nearby Marks & Spencer store on Oxford Street is due to close later this year, prompting criticism from local politicians and shoppers who fear the loss of one of the high street’s last remaining anchor tenants. The M&S closure sparked calls for action on both sides of the political debate, with Swansea’s MP Torsten Bell demanding staff support and a replacement store for the city.

As Swansea Bay News has previously reported on the future of retail in the city, the question of what kind of brands and businesses can genuinely make the city centre thrive again is one of the biggest conversations Swansea is having with itself right now — and opinions differ sharply.

Against that backdrop, the Søstrene Grene announcement adds to a run of positive retail news in recent months. Greggs, Skechers and Boyes have all opened in the city, alongside Holland & Barrett’s new flagship in the Quadrant and Rituals opening nearby. The former Debenhams building is also being transformed as part of a major revamp of that part of the city centre.

The Castle Quays building itself is at the centre of wider change beyond just its ground floor retail units. St Mary’s Square Developments has submitted a planning application to add ten new flats to the upper floor of the building, as part of the broader push to bring more residents back into the heart of the city — a long-standing goal for planners and business groups who argue that a growing city centre population is essential to making the retail and hospitality offer sustainable.

It is a vision that has been gaining momentum. Across the immediate area, new residential conversions are taking shape, Castle Square is being transformed, and the Y Storfa hub is drawing people into the city centre who might previously have had little reason to visit. Søstrene Grene’s arrival on Princess Way adds another piece to that picture.

Søstrene Grene’s opening date on Princess Way is yet to be confirmed. More information about the brand is available at sostrenegrene.com.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Ten new flats planned for top of Princess Way building overlooking Castle Square
St Mary’s Square Developments — the same company bringing Søstrene Grene to Swansea — has applied to add ten apartments to the upper floor of the Castle Quays building.

M&S to close its 69-year-old Swansea store in huge shock to the council
The nearby Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street is set to shut later this year, dealing a significant blow to the city centre’s retail offer.

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The council’s new public services hub in the former BHS store sits directly opposite the new Søstrene Grene site.

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The square directly outside the new store is undergoing a major transformation to make it greener and more welcoming.

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Swansea’s only independent cinema to close this summer after 10 years on Castle Street

The venue — which opened in 2016 — is far more than a cinema. It has operated as a fully licensed café bar, art gallery, live music venue and community hub throughout its ten years, carving out a distinctive identity as one of the most characterful independent spaces in the city centre.

In a statement posted to social media, Redfern was candid about the reasons for the closure. “The reality of trying to run a principled, independent space in the current climate has become unsustainable — not just financially, but personally, creatively and emotionally too,” she said. “Rather than compromise what this place stands for, we are choosing to end it on our own terms. This is not a failure. This is a co.nclusion.”

In a longer personal post, she described the toll that running the space has taken over the years. “Running an independent space today means wearing every hat, holding everything together, and constantly fighting to keep something special alive,” she wrote. “And over time, that takes its toll. Not just on the business — but on the person behind it.”

Redfern acknowledged that the closure of Cinema & Co. was part of a much wider pattern affecting independent venues across the country. “You’re seeing it everywhere,” she wrote. “Independent spaces are disappearing — not because people don’t care, but because the conditions to sustain them are becoming impossible.”

Cinema & Co on Swansea’s Castle Street

The venue has never shied away from controversy. In 2021, Cinema & Co. refused to enforce the Welsh Government’s Covid pass scheme, with Redfern describing the measures as “discriminatory and unlawful.” The decision made national headlines and turned the Castle Street venue into a focal point for debate about Covid restrictions.

Swansea Council bolted the shutters after the venue defied closure orders and repeatedly reopened — including after a court order. The cinema opened on December 1, 2, 3 and 5 following a court order for it to close, and Redfern sent a letter to the council stating she would not comply with the closure notice.

Redfern was subsequently given a 28-day suspended sentence at Swansea Magistrates Court, fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £9,000 in council costs after pleading guilty to contempt of court, criminal damage and failing to comply with enforcement officers. District Judge Neale Thomas said: “Ms Redfern makes choices and she ignores the law and expects the law to treat her with special dispensation.”

The Covid controversy also drew the venue into a wider political row over its associations. Stand Up To Racism wrote an open letter — signed by more than 180 people including Lord Peter Hain, Geraint Davies MP, poet Patrick Jones and musician Helen Love — calling on Redfern to publicly distance herself from Voice of Wales, a group the letter accused of antisemitism, homophobia and links to figures including Tommy Robinson and the Proud Boys.

Voice of Wales had been a vocal supporter of Cinema & Co.’s anti-Covid pass stance, and members of the Stand Up To Racism group reported regular sightings of its members at the venue. Voice of Wales strongly denied the allegations, describing Stand Up To Racism as a far-left organisation spreading lies about them.

Redfern also rejected any connection to far-right groups. “I absolutely reject any claims that I am in any way connected to far-right groups, far-left groups or any form of racism,” she said. A crowdfunder set up by former Brexit Party and Abolish the Welsh Assembly candidate Richard Taylor raised more than £60,000 in support of the venue during the period.

Cinema & Co on Swansea’s Castle Street

The closure will leave Swansea city centre without an independent cinema. The venue’s ten years have encompassed film screenings, late-night events, community gatherings, art exhibitions, live music and the kind of relaxed café culture that larger commercial chains have rarely managed to replicate in the city.

Cinema & Co. built up a loyal following over the course of its decade on Castle Street, with its programming and atmosphere drawing a creative and community-minded crowd. Its loss will be keenly felt by many in the city who saw it as one of the few genuinely independent cultural spaces in Swansea’s city centre.

No specific closing date has been confirmed beyond “this summer.” Redfern urged those with fond memories of the venue to visit while they still can. “We have a few months left,” she said. “If Cinema & Co. has ever meant something to you — come and be part of it while you still can.”

The three images posted by Cinema & Co. to mark the announcement capture the venue’s characteristic flair — a “That’s all Folks!” graphic styled as a vintage film ending card, dated 2016–2026, alongside a message inviting regulars to be part of its final chapter before “the end credits roll.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Suspended sentence and £15k fine for Cinema & Co. owner
Redfern pleaded guilty to contempt of court after repeatedly defying closure orders during the Covid period.

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All our Cinema & Co. coverage
Our full archive of stories from the venue over the years.

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CITY CENTRE LIVING: Ten new flats planned for top of Princess Way building overlooking Castle Square

Plans have been submitted to create ten new flats on the top floor of a well-known Princess Way commercial building, in the latest sign that Swansea’s city centre is slowly being transformed into somewhere people can live as well as shop.

The application, submitted to Swansea Council by St Mary’s Square Developments, proposes ten one- and two-bedroom apartments on the recessed upper floor of the Castle Quays building — the prominent seven-unit commercial block that stretches along Princess Way with aspects over both Castle Square and the council’s new Y Storfa hub in the former BHS store.

The Castle Quays development on the site of the former David Evans Department store
(Image: St Mary’s Square Developments)

Each of the proposed flats would have access to outdoor patio space. According to the design and access statement submitted with the application, no changes are proposed to the height, footprint or principal exterior elevations of the building. Cycle storage and bin storage would be provided at ground floor level, and supporting reports on noise, bats and green infrastructure have also been submitted as part of the planning package.

St Mary’s Square Developments, a Swansea-based company specialising in mixed-use and build-to-rent schemes, acquired the Castle Quays building in 2025. Work is already under way on the ground floor, where contractors are preparing the former Zara unit for a new occupier.

The former Zara store at Castle Quays on Princess Way is being prepared for a new tenant
(Image: St Mary’s Square Developments)

The Castle Quays application adds to a cluster of residential conversion schemes taking shape in the same part of the city centre.

The Welsh Government has committed millions of pounds in funding towards 29 one- and two-bedroom flats planned for the upper floors of the nearby building currently occupied at ground level by McDonald’s and Taco Bell — a scheme that has already secured planning permission.

Across the road, the old Castle Cinema building is already being converted into 30 flats alongside new commercial units.

Elsewhere in the immediate vicinity, flats have been created in upper floors on Oxford Street, and a major ‘biophilic living building‘ mixed-use development of up to 12 storeys is rising on the former Woolworths site on The Kingsway.

The Princess Way building sits at the heart of some of the most significant change currently under way in the city centre.

On one side it looks over Castle Square, which is in the middle of a multimillion-pound revamp designed to create a greener and more welcoming public space.

The leaf boat sculpture that was a fixture of the square for years was removed as that redevelopment moved ahead, with an artist commissioned to help mark the start of the transformation.

On its other aspect, Castle Quays faces the new Y Storfa building in the former BHS unit — a council-run hub housing a range of public services including the city’s central library.

The drive to bring residents back into Swansea city centre has been a consistent theme for local leaders for decades. The post-war bombing of Swansea and the subsequent rebuilding of the city on largely commercial lines left the centre without a significant residential population — something planners and business groups have long argued needs to change.

The potential loss of further anchor retailers has added urgency to that argument. Marks & Spencer’s Oxford Street store is due to close later this year, following the earlier departure of Debenhams — both significant blows for a high street that is already navigating a fundamental shift away from traditional retail.

Against that backdrop, the case for converting underused upper floors into homes has become harder to argue against.

Andrew Douglas, manager of business group Swansea BID, said a growing residential population was central to the city centre’s long-term health.

“The more people living in the city centre the more they will engage with and enjoy Swansea’s retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors,” he said. He added that residential growth also bolsters investor confidence, describing it as a signal that the city centre is a credible place to live, work and spend time.

As we’ve reported, the question of what shops and brands Swansea needs to attract — and what the future of its retail offer looks like — remains one of the biggest conversations in the city. Increasing the number of people living within walking distance of the shops, bars and restaurants is seen as a key part of making that offer sustainable.

The Castle Quays application is currently with Swansea Council for determination.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Scaffolding removal to start at Princess Way
The Castle Quays building on Princess Way has been undergoing work since St Mary’s Square Developments took it on in 2025.

FLATS FUNDING BOOST: Welsh Government to pour millions into city centre flats plan at McDonald’s site and Kingsway block
The neighbouring Princess Way conversion scheme has already secured Welsh Government backing — part of the same city centre living push.

New images reveal greener, more vibrant future for Swansea’s Castle Square
The square overlooked by the Castle Quays building is undergoing its own major transformation.

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Swansea café removes photo after customer fears it shows concentration camp scene

A café in Swansea has removed a historic photograph from its wall after a customer believed it showed belongings from a Nazi concentration camp.

The image, which had been displayed at Zinco Lounge, sparked concern when a visitor recognised what she thought was a scene connected to the Holocaust.

Emma Jones contacted Swansea Bay News after spotting the photograph while meeting friends for a Mother’s Day catch-up.

She said the image immediately reminded her of photographs she had seen years earlier during a visit to the Holocaust exhibition at the Imperial War Museum London.

A historic black-and-white photograph displayed on the wall at Zinco Lounge in Swansea which prompted concern from a customer who believed it could be linked to a Nazi concentration camp.

“I was at Zinco Lounge in Swansea having a Mother’s Day catch-up with friends when I saw this image from a concentration camp up on their wall,” she said.

“It was very upsetting thinking what all those children and people went through.”

Emma said she believed the photograph showed items belonging to victims at Majdanek concentration camp, one of the Nazi camps used during the Holocaust.

However, she added that staff at the café responded quickly when the concern was raised.

“They were lovely, apologetic and took it down,” she said.

“But it made me sad to think how many people might have seen it and not realised what it was.”

The venue, located on Princess Way in Swansea city centre, on the site where the former David Evans Department Store once stood, later carried out checks into the image’s origin.

In a statement, the company said the photograph was not connected to the Holocaust.

“We take this kind of concern very seriously, and we’re glad our team responded promptly when the issue was raised,” a spokesperson said.

“The photograph was removed from the venue immediately as a precaution, and we have since investigated its provenance fully.”

The company says the image is a 1940 British press photograph showing a wartime contraband seizure.

The press caption attached to the photograph stating it is a 1940 British press image showing a consignment of copra seized by wartime contraband control.
(Image: Loungers)

According to documentation supplied by the venue, the photograph depicts a large consignment of copra (dried coconut) intercepted by British Contraband Control during the Second World War.

The typed press caption accompanying the image states the shipment had been intended for Germany but was intercepted by British authorities.

The consignment, dated 20 March 1940, was reportedly valuable because copra was used in the manufacture of soap and other products during wartime.

Despite the clarification, Emma said the experience highlighted how powerful historical images can be.

“I guess some things the brain can’t forget once you know,” she said.

“I thought maybe it could also be an opportunity to raise awareness of what people went through and stop people forgetting the past.”

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#DavidEvansDepartmentStoreSwansea #HolocaustAwareness #ImperialWarMuseumLondon #MajdanekConcentrationCamp #PrincessWay #PrincessWaySwansea #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaNews #SwanseaRestaurants #WorldWarIIPhotography #ZincoLounge

Swansea’s new Y Storfa hub draws praise as visitors embrace city centre one‑stop shop

The building, which opened on December 1 in the former BHS store on Oxford Street, has been “busy every day”, according to Swansea Council. The authority says visitors have praised its central location, bright design and the convenience of having multiple services under one roof.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the reaction had exceeded expectations.

Cllr Stewart said:

“We’re delighted that public and staff feedback from the early weeks at Y Storfa has been so positive. Public comments continue to be fantastic; our staff and partners love working here. It’s proving to be a real success.”

Members of the Mentro Allan social group say Y Storfa’s welcoming staff and central location make it an ideal meeting place.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Community groups using the space say it has already become a valued meeting point.

Jean Blair, from social group Mentro Allan, said:

“We really enjoy meeting here. Y Storfa has welcoming staff, plenty of comfortable space and is in a central location.”

The South Wales Miners’ Library, now based inside the hub, says the move has made it far easier for people to drop in.

Sian Williams, head of cultural collections at Swansea University, said:

“We’re much more accessible here and are delighted with the number of people who’ve called in and continue to do so. We’re open to everybody and it’s great to welcome a range of visitors.”

The council’s lifelong learning team says demand has surged since relocating.

Swansea University’s Sian Williams says the South Wales Miners’ Library is now “much more accessible” since relocating to Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)Judith Porch from Swansea Council’s lifelong learning team says Y Storfa is helping connect people by bringing multiple services together in one place.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Service co‑ordinator Judith Porch said:

“With so many services being in one space, Y Storfa is connecting people. It’s great for supporting our learners — you can see how people are enjoying the experience. We’ve seen huge interest in our lifelong learning classes; our IT classes are now completely full.”

Frontline staff say the hub is already improving how residents access help.

Senior revenues and benefits officer Andrea Jones says Y Storfa is making it easier for residents to access several services in a single visit.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Senior revenues and benefits officer Andrea Jones said:

“Y Storfa has made it easy for customers to access many services in one place. I had a customer who came in for a query about benefits who was then able to go straight to housing options. It makes it much more convenient being in the same location.”

The council says the numbers back up the positive feedback. December saw more than 670 new central library members — more than triple the usual monthly average — and children’s library loans have risen. The South Wales Miners’ Library, Citizens Advice, West Glamorgan Archive Service and Careers Wales all report increased footfall.

Visitors browse bilingual library sections at Y Storfa, where history and arts collections are now housed in the city centre hub.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Cllr Stewart says the hub is already playing a role in boosting the wider city centre.

He said:

“Thousands of people have already enjoyed what Y Storfa has to offer. They like its accessible and compelling mix of essential services. There’s been a significant uplift in visitors compared to previous locations used by the services based there.”

Staff at Y Storfa’s circular reception desk assist visitors with council services, library access and lifelong learning enquiries.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Y Storfa forms part of Swansea Council’s £1bn regeneration programme and was delivered with support from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund. The council says its location — close to car parks, bus routes and the newly reopened Park Street East car park — is helping draw people back into the city centre.

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Four arrested after suspected racially aggravated attack in Swansea city centre

Police were called to Princess Way at around 1.30am today (Thursday, January 15) following reports of a disturbance in the busy city centre street.

Officers say they found a 20‑year‑old man from Wolverhampton injured at the scene. He was taken to hospital, where his condition is still being assessed.

Four men — aged 42, 38, 27 and 25 — have been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated attack. They include men from Runcorn and Brackla, with two others whose home areas have not yet been confirmed.

A police cordon remains in place while detectives continue their enquiries.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said:

“Officers were called to a report of a disturbance on Princess Way, Swansea city centre at around 1:30am today (Thursday January 15).

“A 20-year-old man from Wolverhampton has been taken to hospital where his condition is currently being assessed.

“Four men – a 42-year-old man from Runcorn, Cheshire, a 27-year-old man from Brackla, Bridgend, a 38-year-old man and a 25-year-old man – have been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated GBH offence.

“An investigation into this incident is ongoing. A scene is currently being held.

“Any witnesses should get in touch on 101, quoting occurrence number 2600014215.”

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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.”

Library visitors engage with Swansea’s cultural collections at Y Storfa, now more accessible than ever.
(Image: Swansea Council)Council leader Rob Stewart, Minister Julie James and cabinet member Elliott King officially open Y Storfa, Swansea’s new city centre public services hub.
(Image: Swansea Council)

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.”

Bilingual plaque marks the official opening of Y Storfa in 2025, funded by the UK and Welsh Governments.
(Image: Swansea Council)Exhibition at Y Storfa traces the history of the site, from Victorian arcades to modern public services.
(Image: Swansea Council)

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.

Employment support on offer at Y Storfa through Communities for Work, helping residents find jobs and training.
(Image: Swansea Council)

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.”

Visitors explore digital resources at Y Storfa’s Central Library, now housed in the repurposed BHS building.
(Image: Swansea Council)

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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