SWANSEA: First look at the new Swansea Market entrance as makeover works progress on Union Street

Swansea Market’s long-awaited makeover is now visible to anyone walking past on Union Street, with the market’s new entrance design emerging from behind the hoardings.

The market confirmed on Tuesday that the Union Street entrance has been partially reopened while lower-level works continue — meaning shoppers can once again access the market from that side as the transformation progresses.

The new design features a bold geometric canopy in orange and brown tones, a striking new bilingual fascia reading “Marchnad Abertawe / Swansea Market”, and illuminated signage with a distinctive fan-shaped logo — a far cry from the tired exterior that had greeted shoppers for years.

The reaction from inside the market has been positive. Storm In A Teacup Coffee House, one of the market’s well-known traders, said simply: “Looks great.” Fellow trader Rachel Jones added: “I’m sure our customers will see the difference.”

The design was chosen by the public in a vote held last year, after Swansea Council launched a consultation giving shoppers a say in what the new entrances should look like. Hundreds of people took part, with the geometric stained-glass-inspired canopy proving the overwhelming favourite from a shortlist of three options developed with Wales-based consultants Tangent Partnership.

Council cabinet member and joint deputy leader David Hopkins said at the time that the new entrances would make the market “smarter, more visible and vibrant” and help attract customers. He also said the work would improve security and help deter anti-social behaviour.

Work is continuing on the market’s other entrances on Oxford Street and Whitewalls, with the same design set to be applied across all three entry points once the full programme of works is complete.

The entrance revamp is the latest in a sustained programme of investment in the market over recent years. In recent years the council has invested in new public toilets at the award-winning market and introduced the Market Garden, a popular spot to eat, meet and enjoy events. Wikipedia

The Market Garden was created following a public consultation and opened in late 2021 as a new space at the heart of the venue where shoppers could eat, meet friends and enjoy themselves. It quickly became one of the market’s most popular features.

The investment in the market’s facilities has helped cement its reputation as one of the best in Britain. Swansea Market was judged Britain’s Best Large Indoor Market in 2024 by the National Association of British Market Authorities — the third time it had won the title, following previous victories in 2015 and 2020. It has also been ranked in the top two in the UK.

Wayne Holmes, chair of the Swansea Market Traders Federation, said when the award was announced: “It’s great that the market has won this award. Recognition like this helps make all the hard work of our traders feel really worthwhile.”

The entrance works also form part of the wider Future Swansea vision for the city centre, which sets out plans to make Swansea Market a destination in its own right — with better links to the Quadrant and surrounding streets forming part of a decade-long regeneration strategy.

That wider plan, which is expected to be adopted as council policy later in 2026, also includes a new transport hub, a potential cultural quarter and improvements to the Oxford Street arcades — all designed to drive footfall into the city centre.

The market sits at the heart of what the council calls the Core — the retail, leisure and nightlife centre of the city — and the entrance revamp is seen as a key part of making it more welcoming and visible from the surrounding streets.

Works at Union Street are ongoing, and shoppers have been thanked for their patience. The market remains fully open throughout the works, with business continuing as usual inside.

More on Swansea Market

Market entrances to get new look after public vote
How shoppers chose the winning design for the new-look entrances.

Swansea Market named one of Britain’s favourites
The market’s third national award win — and what the judges said.

Market shoppers enjoy taste of the market’s new attraction
When the Market Garden first opened its doors to visitors.

Swansea’s future mapped out: transport hub, market revamp and cultural quarter
The bigger picture — how the market fits into Swansea’s decade-long regeneration plan.

The continuing demolition of the 175 year old Union Corner Building after the devastating fire which destroyed it. In the background is the distictive Ca'D'Oro building, which was severely damaged by a fire in the 1980s, but was successfully resurrected afterwards.

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Looking out from the inside of what is left of the 175 year old Union Corner Building in central Glasgow. From this angle, you can see the shattered windows of the eastern facade of the neighbouring Station Hotel (on the left of the image), and this is when you realise how close the fire must have come to jumping the gap into that building, and from there into the main body of Central Station.

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A before and after shot of the Union Corner Building in central Glasgow. The upper shot was taken in 2025, the lower one this morning, showing how little of it remains standing following Sunday's fire.

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