Opinion | Torsten Bell MP: ‘It’s time to stop talking Swansea down – the city’s future is bright’

Torsten Bell is the Labour MP for Swansea West. The views expressed in this article are his own.

Spring is a season for optimism: Time to start talking Swansea up

Spring is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. I’ve got one for Swansea: we need to stop talking ourselves down.  

There’s no doubt our city has faced real challenges. Years of underinvestment, the pressures facing high streets across the UK, and the long tail of economic change have all left their mark.  

But that’s not the whole story, and it’s increasingly not the right story either. Our ugly lovely town has a thriving cultural scene, world-class university, rich industrial and political history, and we’re taking steps that will see cutting-edge renewable technology come to the Celtic Sea. 

But there’s more. Because across Swansea, something important is happening: progress. You can see it in the reopening of Y Storfa, serving a new generation on the site of the old BHS. You can see it in the transformation of Castle Gardens, with work underway to turn the space into somewhere people want to spend time again. These are not abstract plans or promises. They are real, visible changes to the fabric of our city. 

Real changes are happening already. And major changes are set to come. Recently, the news came that we’ve secured £20 million from the UK Government to transform Swansea’s iconic Civic Centre. With its stunning location overlooking Swansea Bay, the building’s potential can now be unlocked. Exciting plans developed with Swansea Council and Urban Splash will give the building a new lease of life, with new cafes, bars and shops, and leisure facilities including an aquarium. We’ve also heard announcements on record rail investment proposals for the £600m Swansea Bay Metro, there’s momentum behind plans for a world class tidal lagoon and huge support for a new zero emission, fast ferry link between Swansea and South-West England.

That’s not all. Alongside, we’ve secured £20 million of UK Government Pride in Place funding to invest in communities in Brynmelyn, Mount Pleasant, North Hill, Hafod, Dyfatty and Waun Wen that have too often been overlooked despite being a gateway to our city. This is a powerful vote of confidence in an area that has huge potential but has too often been left waiting – and a vital chance to show that with the right support, every part of Swansea can move forward with pride. 

Taken together, these projects tell a bigger story. They show a city whose challenge is not getting started – it’s harnesses the momentum we’re already moving forward with.  

Of course, there is still more to do. Regeneration is not a single project or announcement, it’s a long-term effort that requires sustained investment, partnership, and a willingness to keep pushing even when progress feels slow. 

Because the truth is, Swansea has huge strengths: a beautiful coastline, strong communities, growing cultural and economic life, and now – increasingly – the investment to match. This city has a bright future ahead – and we should have the confidence to say so. 

#Opinion #Swansea #SwanseaWest #TorstenBellMP

SWANSEA ABUSE HORROR: Man jailed after decade of child sexual offences

Nicholas Alexander Llewellyn Adams, 54, from Rhondda Street, was convicted of 10 non-recent child sex offences following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard the abuse began when the child was under the age of 10 and continued over a number of years.

What started as physical assaults escalated into repeated sexual abuse, leaving the victim with both physical injuries and deep psychological damage.

The survivor was threatened into silence — and when they did try to speak out, they were not believed.

That failure meant the abuse continued unchecked.

As an adult, the victim has been left dealing with the lasting impact of what happened, including serious mental health struggles.

The court heard they turned to harmful coping mechanisms and at one stage even contemplated taking their own life as the trauma followed them into adulthood.

In a powerful victim impact statement, they said:
“I will never know how different my life could have been if I hadn’t been subjected to the horrific abuse I had to deal with as a child.”

They added that they had lived for years in fear after being warned not to tell anyone, and described attending court as the final step in closing “this horrendous chapter”.

Adams denied the offences but was found guilty by a jury.

Jurors heard that while some of the offences dated back to when he was younger, the impact on the victim has been lifelong.

Sentencing, Judge Hywel James said the abuse had a “severe impact” on the survivor, who had been pressured into silence and left to cope alone.

Adams was jailed for nine years and six months.

He was also made subject to a 10-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim and must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Christine Beaton said the survivor had shown “immense courage” in coming forward after so many years.

She added: “Crimes of this nature are truly horrible, and I hope this result can help the survivor move forward.”

Police are urging anyone affected by sexual abuse to seek support and report offences when they feel able.

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‘I never thought I could do this’: Swansea teens find their feet inside one of Wales’ busiest warehouses

Aidan Bowles and Jamie Leigh Webber, both 19, walked into the Swansea warehouse last autumn with nerves, no warehouse experience and a fear they might not cope. Months later, they’re navigating millions of storage locations, breaking their own records and talking openly about how the programme has changed their lives.

Finding their feet on the warehouse floor

The pair joined Amazon through a supported internship — a work‑based programme designed for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. They’d been studying Independent Living Skills at Gower College, learning the basics of cooking, travel and day‑to‑day independence.

Nothing prepared them for the scale of the warehouse.

“I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it,” Jamie Leigh said. “But once you actually get into it, you realise it’s completely fine. I much prefer practical things, and I’ve enjoyed being in the workplace so much more than full‑time college.”

Aidan felt the same nerves — but says the team around him made the difference.

“The support from the Amazon team has been amazing,” he said. “No matter how small the problem, if you ask whoever’s working with you, they’ll know what to do. You just need to be brave enough to ask.”

Jamie Leigh Webber at Amazon Swansea, where she says her confidence has grown “more than I ever expected”.
(Image: UNP / Simon Ridgway / Amazon)

‘I was in tears in the aisle — now I can take you anywhere’

Both interns started out in picking and stowing — two of the core roles that keep the warehouse moving. The building holds around 4.2 million storage locations, and learning to navigate it is a challenge in itself.

For Jamie Leigh, the early days were overwhelming.

“I remember crying in the aisle during training because I couldn’t understand the location system,” she said. “I never thought I’d come this far. Now, if you ask me for directions, I can take you there no problem. I’m like a different person.”

Her output has jumped too — from two carts a day to three, and still climbing.

Aidan says the biggest change for him has been independence.

“Navigation is one of the most important things I’ve learned,” he said. “Knowing where everything is, how to get there, and doing it on my own — that’s been really useful. I have more to offer now than I did before.”

A pathway to paid work

Amazon launched its supported internship programme in 2021 and expanded it in partnership with national charity DFN Project Search. The company says almost 300 young people have taken part so far, with more than 80 going on to secure permanent jobs.

Aidan and Jamie Leigh are due to finish their internship in June — and both hope to stay on.

“Everyone here is so lovely,” Jamie Leigh said. “I haven’t had a single bad interaction since being here. I’d like to stay on if possible.”

Aidan is keeping his options open.

“If this works out, I’ll keep going with it,” he said. “And if not, I have other ideas — maybe similar kinds of work, because I do like what I’m doing.”

‘A reminder of what’s possible’

Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project Search, said the pair’s progress shows what can happen when young people are given a real chance.

“Jamie Leigh and Aidan’s journeys are a brilliant reminder of what is possible when young people with a learning disability and/or autism are given a real chance to shine,” she said. “Watching them grow in confidence and capability at Amazon is wonderful to see.”

She added that Amazon’s role as a host employer “opens doors that might otherwise have been closed”.

What comes next

The interns will graduate this summer alongside more than 130 others across 25 Amazon sites. Applications for the next intake open later this year through DFN Project Search.

For Aidan and Jamie Leigh, the next few months are about finishing strong — and proving to themselves just how far they’ve come.

As Jamie Leigh put it: “Don’t assume the worst. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it’s going to be. It’s so much better.”

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Swansea Reform UK candidate quits in furious ‘betrayal’ rant – ‘Party has sunk into the sewer!’

Patrick Benham-Crosswell, a long-standing member and former candidate who secured 17.5% of the vote in Swansea in the 2024 general election, announced his departure in a scathing Facebook post.

He declared: “In truth, Reform has left me.”

Benham-Crosswell, who was placed fifth on the new candidate list behind an “ex-Tory on the make and three novices,” launched a blistering attack on the party’s direction.

He accused Reform of “betraying its early members’ vision, labour and achievements” and becoming a party that takes its volunteers “for granted.”

His post highlighted a shift within Reform UK, stating: “The ‘professionalisation’ of the party has led it to take its members and candidates for granted. Communications that once began ‘Thank you’ now more often start ‘You are required to…’

“The party’s employees in Millbank forget that branch officers and candidates are unpaid volunteers.”

The former candidate, who was an active member since Reform’s inception and the Brexit Party before that, did not hold back on the candidate selection process.

He alleged: “Across Wales the candidate appointment does not reflect how people performed in the selection process; I know because I was there. In many constituencies those at the top of the list are not the best. Far too many are Tories – and the Reform vote will suffer.”

This isn’t the first time such claims have rocked Reform UK in Wales; a Senedd hopeful previously quit the party over allegations of a rigged selection process in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Francesca O’Brien, who defected from the Conservatives last year, tops the list of candidates for Reform in Swansea and Gower.

Benham-Crosswell dismissed any suggestion of “petulance or sour grapes” over his low placing, insisting it confirmed his fears that “Reform is no longer open or honest.”

“Politics is a dirty game, but Reform has sunk deep into the sewer when it should have been a beacon of decency,” he wrote.

He concluded his explosive statement by saying: “Politics should be about openness, decency and serving the country, which it once was in Reform. Politics is (or should be) about people, not process. Principles, not opportunism. Passion, not career building.”

His explosive resignation raises the question: Is Reform UK starting to implode before the election has even taken place?

#featured #Gower #GŵyrAbertawe #ReformUK #ReformWales #resignation #SeneddElection #SeneddElection2026 #Swansea

FERRY FARCE? Doubts grow over Swansea crossing as ‘fairy story’ jibe lands

The proposed Bristol Channel crossing – linking Swansea with south-west England – has been talked up as a game-changer for travel and jobs.

But cracks are starting to show.

At a tense council meeting this week, opposition councillor Stuart Rice questioned whether the scheme was realistic at all, asking leader Rob Stewart if it was “more of a fairy story than a ferry story”.

The comments come just days after a new report suggested the idea had a “compelling” economic case and overwhelming public backing, with strong support recorded for a Swansea-based service.

The proposal centres on a high-speed, low-emission ferry capable of carrying hundreds of passengers and vehicles across the Bristol Channel – with backers claiming it could slash journey times and ease pressure on major roads.

But despite the optimism, key details remain missing.

No ports have been confirmed.

No vessel has been designed.

And no firm agreements are in place with partners across the water.

Even Swansea Council has admitted in responses seen by reporters that no formal discussions have taken place with councils in Devon or Somerset in recent years.

That raises serious questions about how close – or how far – the plan really is.

Cllr Stewart defended the project, insisting it was worth exploring.

“I don’t think there is anything really to knock on this one,” he said, arguing journey times could be cut dramatically and that Swansea’s appeal would draw visitors.

He also stressed the ferry would not just be about passengers – but freight too, boosting its viability.

But others are not convinced.

Liberal Democrat group leader Chris Holley backed the idea in principle but warned there were practical issues – including whether vessels could even dock close to the city centre.

He pointed to past problems with ferry schemes, including vessels being unable to pass through Swansea’s lock gates.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised that passengers could simply drive straight out of the city via the M4 – limiting the economic boost locally.

Adding to the uncertainty, the report behind the plans admits major hurdles remain.

These include dealing with the Bristol Channel’s extreme tidal range, designing specialist vessels, and building the necessary port infrastructure.

And in a new twist, Burry Port has quietly emerged as a potential landing site – despite there being no detail yet on how a ferry could operate from a harbour known for having one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.

Now, Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed it has not been involved in any talks.

Director Ainsley Williams said: “There have been no discussions on specific proposals relating directly to Carmarthenshire at this time.

“We remain open to further discussions should any formal proposals come forward.”

That lack of engagement will raise eyebrows given the scale of what’s being suggested.

Elsewhere, questions remain about where the ferry would land in England, with Ilfracombe already ruled out and larger ports like Bideford mentioned as alternatives.

For now, the ferry remains firmly in the “idea” stage.

And while supporters point to potential benefits like cutting congestion on the M4 and M5 and boosting tourism, critics say the fundamentals are still missing.

For people across Swansea Bay, it leaves a simple question.

Is this the start of a bold new transport link – or just another grand plan that never leaves the drawing board?

What do you think – ferry future or fairy tale?

#BristolChannelFerry #BurryPort #BurryPortHarbour #Carmarthenshire #CllrChrisHolley #CllrRobStewart #CllrStuartRice #Ferry #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaFerry

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.

Potters Wheel and apartments above at 85-86 Kingsway

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.

#1OxfordStreet #8586Kingsway #BeaconCymru #BiophilicLiving #CastleSquare #Kingsway #MowbrayYard #OxfordStreet #PottersWheel #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaMcDonalds #TransformingTowns #WelshGovernment

A Queen Elizabeth II Type C Pillar Box in Swansea, Swansea is now on the map. View it here: https://postboxmap.co.uk/postbox/69c568314dae9bedfde579bf #PostboxMap #UKPostboxes #Postbox #QueenElizabethII #PillarBox #TypeC #StandardRed #Swansea

SWANSEA SUCCESS: Marketing boss bags £100k prize in UK entrepreneur awards

Jess Hickman, founder of Swansea-based agency The Cusp, was named runner-up in the prestigious Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards 2026.

The award sees her take home a six-figure sum to invest back into the business — just two years after launching the company with only £750.

The Cusp, which is based in Swansea, has rapidly grown into a £2 million turnover business and now works with clients across the UK and internationally.

More than half of the company’s revenue now comes from overseas markets, showing the global reach of a firm built right here in Swansea.

The awards, run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, are designed to back young entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and driving growth in the UK economy.

Jess said the recognition was about more than just the money — and reflected the values behind the business.

She said: “Being recognised in the Stelios Young Entrepreneurs Awards is hugely meaningful to me because it validates what we set out to prove — that businesses can be both profitable and purpose-driven.

“From day one, we’ve built The Cusp around the belief that commercial success and positive impact go hand in hand.”

The company specialises in areas including digital marketing, creative campaigns and emerging technologies such as AI, working across sectors including education, engineering and government.

Jess added that the £100,000 prize will help accelerate the next phase of growth.

“We’re at a really exciting stage,” she said.

“The prize fund will allow us to move faster on plans we already have in place — including bringing in specialist talent, expanding internationally and opening a second UK office.”

The Swansea firm was one of just three winners selected from dozens of applicants across the UK.

More than 60 businesses entered the awards, all of which had to demonstrate significant turnover and growth potential.

Easyjet tycoon, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – founder of the awards – said the winners were chosen for their ability to create jobs and act as role models for the next generation.

He said:

“There have been some astonishing and inspiring success stories.

“Each of the winners are very good at promoting themselves and their businesses and would make great ambassadors for entrepreneurship.”

The top prize of £150,000 went to a car sales platform, while a Scotch whisky business picked up the third-place award.

But it is Swansea’s success that will turn heads locally — with The Cusp proving that high-growth, internationally focused businesses can thrive outside traditional UK hubs.

Jess said the journey so far shows that location is no barrier to success.

The company was founded with the aim of proving that “world-class talent exists everywhere” — including in Swansea.

And with fresh investment now secured, the business is aiming to create new jobs and continue expanding its reach.

For Swansea, it’s another sign that the city’s business scene is quietly building momentum on a national stage.

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SAFER SWANSEA: City centre wins top UK award as crime falls

Swansea city centre has been handed a major national safety seal of approval — with new figures showing crime is falling and businesses are feeling the benefit.

The city has secured a prestigious accreditation for the second time through Swansea Against Business Crime (SABC), a partnership backed by Swansea BID and South Wales Police.

The recognition, awarded by the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships, highlights work to tackle shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and wider safety concerns across the city centre.

And the latest figures suggest that effort is starting to pay off.

Shop theft has dropped by 14.5% over the past year, while incidents of anti-social behaviour are down by more than 6%.

At the same time, outcomes for reported crimes have improved sharply — with nearly two-thirds of shop theft cases now resulting in a positive outcome, rising to 87% for anti-social behaviour.

The figures build on recent improvements highlighted in our coverage of how reports of anti-social behaviour have been falling again in Swansea city centre, alongside targeted policing and partnership work.

Andrew Douglas, manager of Swansea BID, said the accreditation reflects a long-term effort to improve safety and confidence in the city.

He said:

“We are incredibly proud that Swansea Against Business Crime has once again been recognised with this national accreditation.

“It reflects the ongoing commitment, collaboration and dedication of everyone involved in keeping Swansea safe, welcoming and thriving.”

The partnership brings together businesses, Swansea Council and South Wales Police, sharing intelligence and coordinating responses to crime hotspots.

That includes practical measures already rolled out across the city centre — such as a 24/7 business crime hotline, which we previously reported on when it was launched to support traders dealing with persistent issues.

Other initiatives include a city-wide radio network linking businesses, dedicated city centre rangers, and taxi and night marshals aimed at keeping people safe during busy evenings.

These efforts sit alongside wider safety drives — including recent operations where taxis were pulled over in Swansea city centre as part of a safety crackdown, and targeted policing in known trouble spots like Dyfatty.

Steve Gallagher, business crime manager at Swansea Against Business Crime, said the results show what can be achieved through partnership working.

He said:

“This achievement is a testament to the strength of partnership working across Swansea BID, South Wales Police and Swansea Council.

“Together, we work tirelessly to ensure that Swansea is a safe, welcoming place for businesses, residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The accreditation is assessed across a range of areas, including intelligence sharing, communication systems and how effectively organisations work together to tackle crime.

Sophie Jordan, chief executive of the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships, said Swansea’s continued success stood out.

She said:

“Swansea Against Business Crime fully deserves this accreditation.

“Achieving it for a third consecutive year demonstrates a sustained commitment to high standards, effective partnership working and delivering real results.”

The latest recognition also follows other recent accolades for the city, including Swansea’s nightlife retaining its Purple Flag status for more than a decade — a sign of continued efforts to improve safety after dark.

For businesses and visitors, the message is clear: Swansea is aiming to rebuild confidence and show the city centre is a safe place to shop, work and enjoy.

But with ongoing concerns about retail crime and anti-social behaviour across the UK, maintaining that progress will be key.

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DRUG GANG BUSTED: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in £multi-area operation

A Swansea man has been jailed for his role in a major organised crime gang that pumped drugs into communities across south Wales.

Bradley Williams, 38, from Swansea, was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.

He was part of a wider network supplying cocaine, cannabis and ketamine across the region — in what police described as a large-scale operation causing “misery and harm” to local communities.

The gang was brought down following a major investigation led by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales.

Major operation targets drug network

The investigation — known as Operation Allegro — targeted a sophisticated drugs network operating across south Wales and into southwest England.

Officers worked alongside Gwent Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary to dismantle the group, which was led by Gloucestershire-based Danny Tomlin.

The gang was responsible for supplying wholesale quantities of Class A drugs, including cocaine, as well as cannabis to a wide customer base.

Their operation stretched into communities across Swansea Bay and beyond.

Swansea link to wider criminal network

Williams played a key role in the network, admitting conspiracy to supply cannabis, offering to supply cocaine and ketamine, and possession of criminal property.

His involvement highlights how organised crime networks often rely on local figures to distribute drugs into towns and communities across the region.

Police say these operations fuel wider issues including addiction, violence and exploitation.

Cannabis factories uncovered

As part of the investigation, officers uncovered two sophisticated cannabis factories hidden inside residential properties.

The sites — located in Blackwood and Trebanog — were being used to produce large quantities of cannabis for distribution.

The discovery underlined the scale and organisation of the gang’s activities.

Early morning raids bring gang down

The network was dismantled following coordinated police raids across multiple locations in July 2025.

Officers executed a series of warrants over two days, arresting those involved and gathering key evidence.

Seven of the nine defendants later admitted their roles before or during trial.

Gang leader handed longest sentence

At Cardiff Crown Court, gang leader Danny Tomlin was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as cultivating cannabis.

Custody photo of gang leader, Danny Tomlin
(Image: Tarian ROCU)

Other key members from Newport and Gloucestershire received sentences ranging from several months to six years.

In total, the nine members of the group were handed combined sentences of more than 43 years behind bars.

Police: ‘Misery and harm’ caused to communities

Detective Inspector Vinnie Easton said the group had been driven by profit at the expense of local people.

He said: “This was a large-scale, complex investigation into an organised crime group who sought to profit from the misery and harm they brought to our communities.”

He added that the sentences should reassure the public that action is being taken against drug supply networks.

Impact felt across Swansea Bay

While the gang operated across multiple areas, cases like this highlight the impact organised crime has on communities in Swansea and across the wider region.

Police say tackling drug supply remains a priority, with networks like this often linked to wider criminal activity.

Residents are being urged to report concerns about suspected drug dealing.

Public urged to come forward

Anyone with information about drug supply can contact police via 101 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Officers say intelligence from the public plays a key role in building cases against organised crime groups.

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