£20m boost for Swansea Civic Centre days after MP’s call for action

In an opinion piece published by Swansea Bay News on Sunday, Mr Bell said reviving the Civic Centre should be the city’s “next big regeneration step” — and urged momentum behind the proposals.

Now, that push appears to have paid off.

The funding follows months of campaigning by the MP and is being described as a key step towards turning recently unveiled plans for the Civic Centre into reality — although it will still need to go through further checks, including due diligence and approval of a final business case, before it is formally released.

Those plans — drawn up with Swansea Council and development partners Urban Splash — would see the site transformed into a mixed-use destination, featuring cafes, bars, shops, workspaces and leisure space, alongside around 140 apartments and 15 commercial units.

Headline attractions include proposals for a saltwater lido and a new aquarium, with the latter designed as a “next generation” visitor experience combining live marine exhibits with cutting-edge digital technology.

The attraction is also expected to work closely with Swansea University’s marine experts, with a strong focus on education and conservation.

Swansea Bay News has charted the rapid progress of the scheme in recent weeks, from the release of the first artist impressions to cabinet backing and strong public interest during consultation.

But until now, a central question has remained: how the transformation would actually be funded.

The £20 million investment from the UK Government begins to answer that — and is expected to help unlock the next phase of the project as it moves beyond consultation, with a planning application anticipated later this year.

For decades, the Civic Centre has served as a base for council services, but with departments now relocating — including to the new Y Storfa hub — attention has quickly turned to the future of the prominent seafront complex.

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West said securing “major investment” in what he describes as an “iconic Swansea landmark” has been a “personal priority”.

Mr Bell said: “With £20m funding from the UK Labour Government, this is another big step forward for the city.

“With its prime spot overlooking the splendid curve of our beach, the building is crying out for a new lease of life. And that is exactly what we are going to give it, as we keep investing in Swansea’s future, not just remembering its past.

“Great progress has been made with the opening of Y Storfa and regeneration of the Palace Theatre. Works to improve Castle Gardens and open new offices from the Kingsway to St David’s are also underway. The momentum is real – it’s vital we harness it.”

He added that the Civic Centre funding is part of a wider package of UK Government investment in Swansea, including a further £20 million through the Pride in Place scheme, as well as commitments to rail improvements and the proposed Swansea Bay Metro.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the funding represented a major vote of confidence in the city’s wider regeneration plans.

He said: “We want to see the Civic Centre transformed into a high-quality landmark destination for living, working and enjoying, with new homes, independent businesses and leisure spaces that benefit local people while attracting more visitors to Swansea.”

He added that the waterfront site offered “one of the most spectacular locations in the UK” and said the investment would help the project move forward more quickly.

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said the funding would help unlock the full potential of the site.

She said: “This investment will help deliver ambitious plans for the Civic Centre and transform this part of the city, making the most of its spectacular location and strengthening Swansea as a destination for visitors.”

The redevelopment also forms part of a broader wave of regeneration across the city, linking the waterfront site with ongoing changes in the city centre and beyond.

If delivered, the scheme could provide a significant boost to the local economy, with estimates suggesting it could generate around £17 million a year and support more than 300 jobs across hospitality, retail, leisure and building management, alongside additional roles linked to the proposed aquarium.

While key details — including timelines for construction and how the scheme will be delivered — are still to be confirmed, a planning application is expected later this year as proposals continue to be developed.

The funding itself remains subject to final approvals, but the announcement marks the clearest sign yet that the recently revealed plans are now moving from ambition towards delivery.

And coming just days after the issue was put firmly back in the spotlight, it suggests momentum around Swansea’s Civic Centre is building fast.

Opinion | Torsten Bell MP: Reviving Swansea’s Civic Centre must be the city’s next big regeneration step

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

As progress revitalising Swansea gathers pace, the exciting plans to give the Civic Centre a new lease of life must now be turned into action. The key to doing so is unlocking the cash required – and it’s a personal priority for me as Swansea West MP that we secure it.   

Swansea has been capturing imaginations long before the descriptions of Dylan Thomas made us famous for our ugly-lovely sprawl. And over the past few years, major progress has been made breathing new life a city steeped in industrial and cultural heritage.   

Historic landmarks like the Palace Theatre and Albert Hall have been restored, and new landmarks like the Arena and Y Storfa have joined them. Work on Castle Gardens is underway, and a £20 million investment by the UK Government will see communities north of the train station – home to ten thousand and passed through by thousands more each day – revitalised.    

Redeveloping the Civic Centre is clearly the next major task, now that services like the library have been moved to Y Storfa. With its prime spot overlooking the splendid curve of our beach, the building is crying out for a new lease of life.   

That’s more than just wishful thinking. I’ve been working with Swansea Council and its development partner Urban Splash on the vision for the Civic Centre’s renewal. Exciting new artist impressions illustrate the potential if plans for 600 new homes – along with new cafes, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities – are realised.   

One key barrier remains: securing the funding to turn these plans into action. As Swansea West’s MP, this challenge is a personal priority for me. Doubling down on efforts to regenerate Swansea, that the Labour council has done a great job of driving, has never been more important.   

If we want things to keep moving in the right direction, now is the time to act. Giving the Civic Centre a new lease of life would not just protect an important part of our past. It would help build the Swansea of the future. That is a prize worth fighting for and I’ll be doing more than my share of the fighting. 

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Crowds flock for first look at dramatic Civic Centre makeover plans
Hundreds turn out as Swansea gets its first glimpse of the seafront vision.

New artist’s impression reveals dramatic Civic Centre transformation
Fresh images show how the landmark site could be reshaped for the future.

Y Storfa opens as council services move from Civic Centre
A major shift in how residents access services as the old building winds down.

Public invited to give views on new Civic Centre plans
Residents asked to help shape the next stage of the waterfront redevelopment.

Flats, aquarium and lido: Civic Centre plans move closer
A bold mix of homes and attractions edges forward after cabinet approval.

More Civic Centre stories
All the latest updates on Swansea’s biggest waterfront redevelopment.

EXCLUSIVE: £130k permanent Covid memorial to be created on seafront

Swansea Council, who are behind the project, say that the £130,000 reflective public artwork will offer a quiet space for remembrance and contemplation overlooking Swansea Bay.

Work on the project is expected to begin in April and will be located near the iconic Slip Bridge.

Designed by Welsh glass artist Catrin Jones and sculptor Angharad Pearce Jones, the memorial will be fabricated at a metal workshop in the Amman Valley.

The council confirmed that the design features sculpted steel forms and coloured glass, which will sparkle in the sunlight to symbolise resilience and hope.

It includes three glass circles inspired by the colours of the peacock butterfly — a symbol of endurance and transformation.

The memorial will be set between two trees on a grassed area already used for reflection, featuring gentle seating and wildflower planting.

New accessible paths will also be installed to ensure the site is open to all visitors.

Cllr Elliott King, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said: “The impact of Covid continues to be felt every day.”

He added: “Too many families lost loved ones, and many key workers, volunteers, neighbours and friends carried us through the most difficult times.”

“The council made a promise that Swansea would honour every person who was affected, and this memorial will provide a permanent place to remember them.”

Artists Catrin Jones and Angharad Pearce Jones said the project was deeply informed by the city’s collective memories of the pandemic.

Catrin Jones said: “This memorial brings together light, colour and nature to create a calm and thoughtful space by the sea.”

“We wanted to offer something gentle, symbolic and enduring, a place that holds people’s stories with care.”

Angharad Pearce Jones added: “People spoke about grief, resilience and the small acts of kindness that helped them through Covid.”

“The design reflects those emotions, the distances we had to keep, the connections we tried to maintain, and the hope that carried us forward.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli teen invited to Parliament after years of agony from invisible illness
A young woman’s long fight for answers finally reaches Westminster.

Hendy BAFTA winner calls for Tourette’s understanding after BBC apology
A powerful plea for respect after a broadcast sparks outrage.

Swansea favourite Kev Johns recovering after minor stroke
Much‑loved entertainer thanks supporters as he begins his recovery.

Carmarthenshire mum says Guide Dogs support was a lifeline
A family shares how early help transformed life after their baby’s diagnosis.

More health stories
The latest updates on health, care and wellbeing across our region.

Welsh Government says South West Wales bathing waters rated ‘excellent’ – but sewage and pollution issues cast shadow

The 2025 results, published this week, show that 98% of bathing waters across Wales met strict environmental standards following monitoring by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Officials say the findings demonstrate the resilience of Wales’s beaches and the success of ongoing efforts to protect water quality.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies said the results reflected “our commitment to protecting water quality” and praised communities and partners for working together towards a cleaner Wales.

Mary Lewis, Head of Natural Resource Management at NRW, added:

“Our wonderful beaches and bathing waters are an important part of Wales’s identity and culture… The results reflect the dedication of our teams, partners, environmental groups and communities who protect and care for our environment.”

Local results at a glance

Sewage spills and enforcement fines temper the good news

While the classifications are positive, they come against a backdrop of ongoing public concern about water quality.

Residents in Gower have repeatedly voiced frustration over sewage spills affecting popular beaches, saying they feel “pooped off” by the frequency of incidents. Campaigners argue that these spills undermine public confidence in official bathing water ratings.

💧 What do bathing water ratings mean?

Excellent
The highest standard. Water quality is consistently very good, giving strong reassurance for swimmers and visitors.

Good
Meets high standards but with occasional dips in quality. Still safe for bathing, though less consistent than ‘excellent’ sites.

Sufficient
Passes the minimum EU and UK requirements. Bathing is permitted, but water quality may be variable and less reliable.

Poor
Fails to meet the required standards. Official advice is against bathing due to risks to health.

Who sets the ratings?
Natural Resources Wales monitors designated bathing waters during the season (May–September) and classifies them under Welsh Government regulations.

Why it matters:
Ratings guide public health advice, tourism confidence and environmental management. They reflect long‑term monitoring, not just daily conditions.

Rivers and coastlines under pressure

Beyond the beaches, rivers in South West Wales have also been highlighted as pollution hotspots. The River Tawe was recently ranked among the most sewage‑affected in the UK, raising questions about how inland water quality connects to coastal bathing standards.

In Pembrokeshire, warnings have been issued about sewage pollution at popular beaches, prompting local MPs to challenge regulators and water companies during Welsh Affairs Committee hearings.

Calls for reform and a sewage action plan

The wider debate has led to growing political pressure. Campaigners and politicians, including Welsh MPs, have called for a national sewage action plan to tackle pollution at its source. At the same time, Welsh Government has outlined plans to overhaul water regulation, promising reforms that put “people, the environment and future generations at its heart.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies acknowledged that climate change and heavy rainfall — including 170% of average levels in September — can significantly affect water quality. He said maintaining standards will require “sustained investment, innovation, and partnership working across all sectors.”

A mixed picture for South West Wales

The headline figures show South West Wales beaches performing strongly, with almost all rated ‘excellent’. But the wider context of sewage spills, enforcement fines and river pollution means the story is more complex.

For swimmers and visitors, the classifications provide reassurance about water quality at designated sites. Yet campaigners insist that behind the ratings lies a system under strain, with regulators, water companies and government facing mounting pressure to deliver lasting improvements.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Welsh Water under pressure as sewage pollution incidents hit ten‑year high
Regulators report a surge in sewage discharges, sparking calls for tougher enforcement across Wales.

Residents say they’re ‘pooped off’ with Gower sewage spills
Locals express frustration over repeated sewage incidents affecting popular beaches on the Gower peninsula.

Welsh Water fined £1.35m for over 800 breaches to sewage discharge permits
The company faces a record penalty after failing to control pollution at treatment sites across Wales.

River Tawe one of the most sewage‑filled in the UK
New analysis ranks the Tawe among Britain’s most polluted rivers, raising concerns for downstream bathing waters.

#aberafanBeach #aberavonBeach #barafundle #bathingWaterQuality #beaches #braceletBay #caswellBay #cefnSidanBeach #dwrCymru #freshwaterWest #huwIrrancaDaviesMs #langlandBay #naturalResourcesWales #newgale #pembrey #pendineSands #pollution #porthcawl #restBay #rhossiliBay #sandyBay #sewage #swanseaBay #tenby #treccoBay #waterQuality #welshGovernment #welshWater #whitesandsBeach

Swansea Bay Parkrun organisers apologise after behaviour issues

Swansea Bay Parkrun said it had received reports of abusive language towards cyclists, a woman being barged on her way to work and “significant disregard of the shared path etiquette” on the course along the city’s seafront.

The free event is organised at 9 am every Saturday, with participants starting from the city’s Secret Bar and Kitchen, along the promenade towards Mumbles.

The feedback regarding Saturday’s run was “the worst it has been ever”, the group said in a statement on Facebook.

Organisers said they felt “really disappointed and despondent”, adding that parkrun events, which are held every Saturday for free, should be inspirational and inclusive.

The statement opens saying behaviour at Saturday (July 26) event “puts our parkrun at risk”.

“We are really sad to report that we have received several reports today – from participants, from marshals and from two members of the public – about the conduct of a minority of participants today.

“In particular, abusive language towards cyclists, barging of a female member of the public on her way to work and significant disregard of the shared path etiquette.

“The nature of each of these incidents is such that they have been logged and reported to parkrun HQ. It is likely that the complainants will take the matters up with both parkrun HQ and with Swansea council.”

They say they are “at a loss as to what more we can do or say to reinforce the need to ‘share with care and kindness’.”

“As event directors and run directors we are having to respond to, very understandably, disgruntled path users.

“We apologise to them, we explain what we do to try and ensure all path users are safe and can enjoy use of a community asset – what else can we do?! It is so upsetting to receive feedback and reports like we have today – today is the worst it has been ever.

“We are feeling really disappointed and despondent – parkrun should be a joy, something positive, something inspirational, something inclusive.”

People commenting on the post acknowledged some runners viewed the event as a race, rather than a community event.

“Not all but some faster runners expect you to move out of their way as they are on course for a PB [personal best] whereas it maybe a PB for a not too fast walker, jogger, runner,” one person wrote.

However, one also described parkrun as “the best thing that’s happened in the UK” in recent years.

“Unfortunately there are always a tiny minority who can’t bring themselves to behave in a way that minimises friction between groups.”

[Lead image: Parkrun UK]

#Parkrun #SwanseaBay #SwanseaCouncil

Signs of Spring, Swansea Bay, South Wales.

#photography
#canon
#daffodils
#spring
#swanseabay
#wales

Supergrass to headline Saturday slot at Swansea ‘Tunes on the Bay’ summer festival

The popular ‘Brit Pop’ nineties band, best known for hits Alright, Moving, and Pumping on your Stereo, will be taking centre stage at Tunes on the Bay at Swansea Bay being held from May 2 to May 4.

Also announced to perform on the Saturday are Welsh rockers Feeder, best known for hits Buck Rogers and Just the Way I’m Feeling, and Indie singer/songwriter Jake Bugg, whose hits include Lightning Bolt, Two Fingers and All I Need.

Additionally, Gavin & Stacey’s Matt Horne, who plays Gavin on the show is also lined-up to play a DJ set.

The announcement follows the news that McFly will headline the Friday night of the event.

Known for their infectious energy, clever songwriting, and chart-topping hits, McFly burst onto the scene in 2004 with their debut album Room on the 3rd Floor, which made them the youngest band ever to have a debut album go straight to number one.

Over the years, they’ve delivered timeless anthems like “Five Colours in Her Hair,” “All About You,” “Obviously,” and “Star Girl,” earning them legions of fans worldwide.

Comprised of Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd, McFly combines feel-good melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and an undeniable stage presence that makes every performance unforgettable. Their music spans genres, blending pop, rock, and a hint of nostalgia, ensuring a little something for everyone. You can read more about that by clicking here.

Weekender tickets can be purchased for £100 for those 18 and over, or £70 for those aged three to 17. It is free for under twos.

Day tickets are priced at £40 for over 18s and £35 for those aged between three and 17. A VIP ticket is priced at £90 plus £9 booking fee. Click here to find out more.

Tunes Festivals, also known as Tunes in The Dunes, launched their first music festival on Perranporth beach in Cornwall a decade ago.

The company then branched out to launch a few more festivals across south west England, including Tunes in the Park in the grounds of Port Eliot Estate in Cornwall, Tunes On The Sands at Blackpool Sands, south Devon, and Tunes in the Castle in Powderham Castle, Exeter, Devon.

Tunes on the Bay will be the company’s first Welsh festival which could hold up to 10,000 music lovers on Swansea beach.

Organisers had planned to hold the event in Swansea last year, but later postponed until 2025.

Each day performances will be in full force with a variety of acts from noon until 11pm each day.

[Lead image: Tunes on the Bay]

#featured #Feeder #JakeBugg #McFly #Supergrass #SwanseaBay #TunesOnTheBay

McFly to headline Friday slot at Swansea ‘Tunes on the Bay’ summer festival

Known for their infectious energy, clever songwriting, and chart-topping hits, McFly burst onto the scene in 2004 with their debut album Room on the 3rd Floor, which made them the youngest band ever to have a debut album go straight to number one.

Over the years, they’ve delivered timeless anthems like “Five Colours in Her Hair,” “All About You,” “Obviously,” and “Star Girl,” earning them legions of fans worldwide.

Comprised of Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd, McFly combines feel-good melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and an undeniable stage presence that makes every performance unforgettable. Their music spans genres, blending pop, rock, and a hint of nostalgia, ensuring a little something for everyone.

They will headline the Friday night of the three-day music event. The acts for Saturday and Sunday are yet to be announced.

Supporting McFly on the Friday will be Scouting For Girls, best known for their songs, “She’s So Lovely”, “This Ain’t a Love Song”, and “Elvis Ain’t Dead”.

Also taking to the stage on the first night will be the Symphonic Ibiza Beach Orchestra, who will combine the energy of Ibiza’s iconic dance beats with the sound of a full orchestra. 

Tunes Festivals, also known as Tunes in The Dunes, launched their first music festival on Perranporth beach in Cornwall a decade ago.

The company then branched out to launch a few more festivals across south west England, including Tunes in the Park in the grounds of Port Eliot Estate in Cornwall, Tunes On The Sands at Blackpool Sands, south Devon, and Tunes in the Castle in Powderham Castle, Exeter, Devon.

Tunes on the Bay will be the company’s first Welsh festival which could hold up to 10,000 music lovers on Swansea beach.

Organisers had planned to hold the event in Swansea last year, but later postponed until 2025.

Each day performances will be in full force with a variety of acts from noon until 11pm each day

Tickets go on sale Monday 2nd December at 10am via the following link

[Lead image: Tunes on the Bay]

#featured #McFly #ScoutingForGirls #SwanseaBay #TunesOnTheBay