Council promises “dazzling” Fire and Ice Festival in Swansea city centre

Ice and fire promised for city streets

According to Swansea Council, visitors will be able to follow a trail of ice sculptures, step inside a giant snow globe on Portland Street, and try interactive ice carving. Fire and ice shows are scheduled for St David’s Place, with fire performers lighting up Oxford Street. Families are told to expect roaming snowmen and characters from Disney’s Frozen, while the “Caroler’s Cabin” will host choirs and musicians.

Ice trail clues and performance timings released

A promotional map published by Swansea Council shows nine ice sculptures will be hidden across the city centre, each linked to a festive clue. Locations include Princess Way, Oxford Street, the Quadrant, Wind Street, and Castle Square.

Interactive ice carving is scheduled for Portland Street between 11:30am and 3:30pm, while a giant snow globe will be open from 10am to 5pm.

Fire and Ice shows are planned for St David’s Place at 1:30pm, 3pm and 4:30pm, with additional fire performances on Oxford Street at 12pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.

Trail maps will be available at Swansea Market, Costa Coffee branches, and the new central library at Y Storfa.

Promotional map for Swansea’s Fire & Ice Festival shows ice trail clues, sculpture locations and performance timings across the city centre
(Image: Swansea Council)

Music line‑up released by organisers

The council has published a full programme of performers, ranging from community choirs to swing bands, with sets scheduled across Saturday and Sunday. Maps for the ice trail will be available at Swansea Market, Costa Coffee branches on Whitewalls and Oxford Street, and the new central library at the Y Storfa development.

Festival part of wider Christmas programme

Council leader Rob Stewart said the festival was part of efforts to make this “the best Swansea Christmas ever,” following the return of the city’s Christmas Parade. Other attractions promoted by the council include the Christmas Market on Oxford Street and Portland Street until December 22, Mistletoe and Markets on December 13–14, and Waterfront Winterland at Museum Park until January 4.

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#castleSquare #christmas #fireAndIceShows #frozen #iceCarving #iceSculpting #iceSculpture #oxfordStreet #portlandStreet #princessWay #quadrantShoppingCentre #stDavidsPlace #swansea #swanseaCouncil #swanseaQuadrant #windStreet

Woman jailed after arson at Swansea McDonald’s

A 39‑year‑old woman has been sentenced to prison after a series of offences in Swansea city centre, including setting fire to a table inside McDonald’s at Castle Square.

Leah Hocking, of no fixed abode, entered the fast‑food restaurant on 4 March and lit paper napkins and other items on her table with a cigarette lighter. Staff used wet towels to extinguish the flames while customers moved away from the disturbance.

During the same incident, Hocking stole a mobile phone from a 16‑year‑old boy. The court heard the teenager, already wary of visiting the city centre, was left even more reluctant to return after the ordeal. He told the court he no longer felt able to visit McDonald’s, which he had previously regarded as a treat.

Hocking also shouted and swore at staff, spat at walls, and swung a chair after the victim demanded his phone back. When police arrived, she resisted arrest and kicked out at an officer.

On the same day, she caused damage at a nearby coffee shop after blocking the doorway, “ranting” at staff and spitting on the door.

Hocking pleaded guilty to arson, theft, assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage under £5,000. She was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last week to six months in prison.

PC Abbi Crocker of South Wales Police said:

“Leah Hocking’s behaviour was mindless and she did not care whether she caused harm to herself or to others. That kind of irresponsible and anti‑social behaviour is not at all welcome on the streets of Swansea.”

The court was told Hocking had three previous convictions and was on licence at the time of the offences. Her barrister said her recent offending was linked to substance misuse and a decline in her mental health, but that she had shown progress while on remand, completing courses and securing a job offer.

Judge Catherine Richards said Hocking’s actions had affected “people of all ages” and noted the offences were aggravated by being committed while on licence. She acknowledged her mental health difficulties and the support available to her, but said a custodial sentence was necessary.

With time already served on remand, Hocking is expected to be released soon.

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Swansea Central Library prepares for move to Y Storfa

Swansea Council has confirmed that all library services at the Civic Centre will close on Monday, October 20, with the new Y Storfa facility due to open several weeks later. The exact opening date will be announced soon.

Around 60,000 books and other items are being carefully packed for the move, including 5,000 historic and modern maps, 3,500 microfilm reels, 4,000 picture books, 2,200 graphic novels, and accessible materials such as large‑print, audiobooks, dyslexia‑friendly titles and Braille.

Poster at Swansea Central Library informing visitors about the forthcoming move to Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)Artist’s impression of how Swansea Central Library will look inside Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)

New facilities at Y Storfa

The new Central Library will feature a glass‑fronted children’s library with thousands of books, a sensory wall, interactive games, and a retro gaming area for older children. Board games for families and adults will also be available.

Visitors will be able to access physical newspapers such as the South Wales Evening Post, bound archives, and hundreds of digital titles via the library’s Press Reader and Borrowbox services. Historic newspapers will also be available online through subscription resources and the National Library of Wales.

Temporary arrangements

Swansea’s 16 community libraries will remain open during the transition, although public PCs will be unavailable on October 22 and 23 due to maintenance. Borrowed items can be returned to branch libraries, and online services will remain available 24/7.

Part of city centre regeneration

Y Storfa is part of Swansea Council’s £1bn regeneration programme and will pave the way for the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site.

Cllr Elliott King, cabinet member for culture, Swansea Council, said: “Y Storfa will give residents a modern, welcoming Central Library at the heart of the city centre. It’s good to see that preparations for the move are well underway.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “Y Storfa will create a central hub where people can learn, access support and come together. It’ll create footfall for city centre businesses and will further boost Swansea’s regeneration.”

Artist’s impression of Y Storfa, opposite Swansea’s new-look Castle Square.(Image: Swansea Council)

More than a library

Alongside the Central Library, Y Storfa will also house the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options and Housing Services, the council’s contact centre, lifelong learning, and revenue and benefits teams.

Non‑council tenants will include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.

The project has been supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.

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#BHS #CastleSquare #CentralLibrary #CentralLibraryMove #CentralLibraryRelocation #CivicCentre #CllrElliottKing #CllrRobStewart #Library #Swansea #SwanseaCentralLibrary #SwanseaCouncil #YStorfa

Housing services set to join Y Storfa community hub in city centre

The move will see both services join a growing list of community-focused organisations based at Y Storfa, the council’s flagship hub currently taking shape in the former BHS unit on Oxford Street.

Services to remain open during transition

The council has confirmed that Housing Options and Housing Support will continue operating from their current High Street base until the relocation takes place. Once the move is complete, both services will be available at Y Storfa without interruption.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Swansea Council’s Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said the new hub would offer a more accessible and joined-up experience for residents.

“The Y Storfa development on Oxford Street will be a modern, accessible hub that brings a range of community services together under one roof in the heart of Swansea,” she said.

“It’s been designed to make it easier for residents to get the help they need, all in one convenient location.”

An opening date for Y Storfa — and the final day of operations at the High Street office — will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Supporting residents at risk of homelessness

The Housing Options service focuses on preventing homelessness wherever possible. It offers advice and practical support to help people remain in their homes or find suitable alternative accommodation.

The Housing Support service provides free, housing-related support to anyone aged 16 and over living in Swansea. This includes help with budgeting, benefits, rent arrears, setting up home, accessing education or work, and addressing issues such as domestic abuse or substance misuse.

Y Storfa under construction on Oxford Street. The new community hub is being developed on the site of the former British Home Stores building.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Part of a wider regeneration

Y Storfa is one of several major projects forming part of Swansea’s £1bn city centre regeneration. The hub will also house Swansea Central Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Citizens Advice, Careers Wales, and the council’s customer contact centre.

The development is supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme and aims to bring services together in a central, accessible location close to public transport, cycle routes and parking.

For more information about the Y Storfa scheme and the services relocating there, visit www.swansea.gov.uk/ystorfa.

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#callCentre #CareersWales #CastleSquare #CitizensAdvice #ContactCentre #HighStreet #homelessness #housing #HousingOptions #HousingSupport #OxfordStreet #Swansea #SwanseaCentralLibrary #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #TransformingTowns #WestGlamorganArchiveService #YStorfa

New coworking hub opens in Princess Quarter as regeneration reshapes Swansea city centre

Collective by Kartay launches in Princess Way

Award-winning developer Kartay has officially launched Collective by Kartay, a premium serviced office, coworking and meeting space within the redeveloped Princess Quarter on Princess Way.

The £multi-million refurbishment has transformed the 15,000 sq ft building into a landmark commercial hub, with 5,000 sq ft of flexible workspace, meeting rooms with panoramic views, and a rooftop terrace. It is the first Grade A office and meeting space of its kind in Swansea, offering facilities more commonly associated with London developments.

Ian Morgan, Managing Director at Kartay, said: “We set out to deliver more than just workspaces. We wanted to create a business destination that changes the way people perceive Swansea.”

Tonia Morgan and Ian Morgan of Kartay

Part of a wider regeneration story

The opening comes as the area around Castle Square undergoes major transformation. Directly opposite Princess Quarter, the former BHS store is being redeveloped into ‘Y Storfa’, which will house Swansea’s new main library and archives. Meanwhile, the McDonald’s building on Oxford Street — also owned by Kartay — is set for a major renovation, with plans to create high-quality residential apartments above the retail unit.

Kartay is also behind other prominent city centre projects, including Princess House, a 10-storey office tower, and retail-to-residential redevelopments on Oxford Street. The company says its investments are helping to reshape Swansea into a modern, mixed-use city centre that supports both business and community life.

Boost for business and investment

The launch of Collective by Kartay is being positioned as a turning point for Swansea’s commercial offer, providing high-specification space for entrepreneurs, small teams and remote professionals. With concierge-style support, flexible terms and luxury amenities, the development aims to attract both local businesses and inward investment.

The project builds on Swansea’s wider regeneration programme, which includes the £135m Copr Bay development, the ongoing Castle Square Gardens revamp, and new cultural and residential schemes across the city.

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#CastleSquare #CollectiveByKartay #coworking #flexibleWorkspace #GradeAOfficeSpace #KartayHoldings #office #officeDevelopment #OxfordStreet #premiumMeetingRooms #PrincessHouse #PrincessQuarter #PrincessWay #servicedOffices #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre

New images reveal greener, more vibrant future for Swansea’s Castle Square

Swansea Council says the redesign will see more than 40% of the square landscaped with greenery, alongside two new pavilion‑style buildings for cafés, restaurants or retail, a green‑roof terrace with public access, interactive water features, and a bandstand‑style stage topped with a large screen.

Artist’s impression of new greener Castle Square(Image: Swansea Council)Artist’s impression of new greener Castle Square(Image: Swansea Council)

Contractor Knights Brown is currently on site carrying out enabling works, with completion expected by late 2026.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“These new images give us the clearest view yet of the greener, more welcoming Castle Square we’re creating for Swansea.

For years, people have told us they want to see more greenery, more activity and more reasons to spend time in the square — and this transformation will deliver just that.

It will bring more life back into the heart of the city centre, support our local businesses and create a place for events, relaxation and community spirit.”

Castle Square through the centuries

Medieval origins
Part of the Anglo‑Norman settlement around Swansea Castle in the 11th–13th centuries, the area was laid out in long, narrow burgage plots and saw repeated Welsh attacks in 1116 and 1150.

19th–early 20th century
Home to the Ben Evans department store — the “Harrods of Wales” — and the town’s original market, symbolising Swansea’s commercial wealth.

WWII devastation
The Three‑Night Blitz of February 1941 destroyed most buildings in the square, including Ben Evans, with significant loss of life.

Post‑war gardens
In 1953, the site became a memorial garden with lawns, paths and flowerbeds to commemorate bombing victims.

1990s redesign
Green space was replaced with a harder, more urban layout, criticised for lacking atmosphere.

2020s revitalisation
Swansea Council’s current project will restore greenery, add water features, and create a flexible, event‑friendly public space.

Part of wider regeneration

The Castle Square project is a key element of Swansea’s £1 billion regeneration programme, which also includes major works at The Kingsway, Y Storfa, the former Castle Cinema and the McDonald’s building on Castle Street.

Preparatory works over the past year have included:

• Underground power line upgrades to support the new design
• Removal and safe storage of the Leaf Boat sculpture ahead of relocation
• Installation of hoardings with public access maintained around the site
• Opportunities for local businesses to bid for work packages

The new images will soon be displayed on hoardings around the site. All surrounding businesses remain open during the works.

#BenEvansDepartmentStore #CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrRobStewart #featured #KnightsBrown #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil

Local businesses invited to explore work opportunities at Castle Square transformation

As hoardings rise and fencing wraps around the city centre landmark, the long-awaited transformation of Castle Square is officially underway. The multi-million pound project, led by Swansea Council and delivered by contractor Knights Brown, promises to turn the tired public space into a vibrant, greener destination — and now, local businesses are being offered a chance to get involved.

A Meet the Buyer event will take place at the Swansea.com Stadium on Friday 18 July, from 9.30am to midday, giving contractors and suppliers the opportunity to learn more about the work packages available. Organised in partnership with Business Wales, the event will highlight opportunities in stone masonry, paving, landscaping, carpentry, waterproofing, lighting, drainage, steelwork, and more — including the installation of a new interactive water feature, green roofs, and a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility.

The Castle Square scheme is part of Swansea’s £1bn regeneration programme, which includes major developments at The Kingsway, Y Storfa, and the former Castle Cinema. Planning permission for the square’s redesign was granted following extensive public consultation, with residents calling for more greenery, better seating, and a space that could host events and gatherings.

The new design will introduce 40% green space, with lawns, ornamental planting, and biodiverse landscaping. Two pavilion buildings are planned to house food, drink, or retail businesses, helping to activate the square and encourage longer visits. The Leaf Boat sculpture, inspired by Dylan Thomas’s poetry, has already been carefully removed and placed in storage while a new permanent home is considered.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said the project reflects the council’s commitment to supporting local jobs and businesses:

“We know local residents and businesses want Castle Square to be greatly improved. It’s also important that local businesses have the opportunity to benefit from construction work of this kind and that we keep as much spending as possible in the Swansea economy.”

Preparatory work has included underground power line upgrades and ground condition testing4. Temporary fencing and hoardings now surround the site, with pedestrian access maintained on surrounding streets including Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Princess Way and Temple Street. Bus routes and the Caer Street taxi rank remain unchanged, and all businesses in the area are trading as normal.

Castle Square has long been a focal point in Swansea’s civic life. Once home to the Ben Evans department store, the site was devastated during the Three Nights’ Blitz in 1941 and later redeveloped as a public garden and memorial. The current layout, introduced in the 1990s, has been criticised for its lack of greenery and atmosphere — something the new scheme aims to address.

The transformation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the square set to become a hub for public events, social gatherings, and city centre vitality.

For more information or to book a space at the Meet the Buyer event, visit the Business Wales event page.

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Castle Square work to start as hoardings go up around site

Swansea Council say the temporary barrier will keep the public safe during the work. It’ll feature details of the work being carried out along with direction signs.

During the work, pedestrians – including those with mobility challenges – will still be able to use the footways immediately outside the square, on Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Princess Way and Temple Street.

Some adjustments will be made to these areas to ensure that the hoardings can remain in place throughout the construction work.

Vehicle movement is unchanged as are bus routes. The Caer Street taxi rank will remain in place for those enjoying nights out in neighbouring areas such as Wind Street.

Supplier access will be maintained for businesses. Disability access to shops will be maintained. All businesses in the area will be trading as normal.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “These are exciting times for Castle Square and the rest of Swansea as our £1bn city regeneration programme continues.

“The square will be closed for the duration of the work to maintain safety – but the immediate neighbouring footways, roads and businesses will remain open and accessible.

“We’ll ask our contractors to keep disruption to a minimum and will have ongoing discussions with them during the work.

“I thank everybody for their understanding as we move ahead with this important work.”

The council says it’s considering options for the future installation of temporary public art on the red hoardings – as has happened on the boards around nearby Y Storfa.

Main work is expected to start on its transformation in July and is due to be completed towards the end of next year. The council say it will see today’s tired-looking Castle Square become greener and more welcoming to all.

Artist’s impression of new Castle Square Gardens
(Image: Swansea Council)

The transformation will include the addition of two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses – one with an accessible green roof and an increase in the amount of other greenery, including new lawns, ornamental and biodiverse planting to provide an area with 40% green space.

It’ll also include a new water feature for interactive play, a new giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility along with new outdoor seating areas and the retention of public use space.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis Davies said: “Our new-look Castle Square Gardens will be a fantastic place to meet, spend quality time and enjoy public events and gatherings.

“This multi-million pound project will complement regeneration work already carried out – or underway now – in neighbouring locations such as Wind Street, Y Storfa, the former Castle Cinema and the McDonald’s building.

“We thank the public for their understanding as we look to start the main work.”

#CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrRobStewart #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Leaf sculpture to go as Castle Square work takes step forward 

Swansea Council say preparatory work already carried out on site includes the re-laying of high-voltage cables to reflect the square’s future design.

The next step will be the removal of the Leaf Boat sculpture, which the council say will happen in the next few days.

The sculpture, which currently sits at the top of the square’s central water feature, will be put into safe storage while the council, in liaison with others including the sculptor, decides on a future Swansea location for the artwork.

The council says it intends to find a new permanent home for the sculpture, reflecting its links to poet Dylan Thomas with Cwmdonkin Park one of a number of locations under consideration.

Main work is expected to start on Castle Square’s transformation in the weeks after the sculpture’s removal, with all businesses in the area trading as normal.

Artist’s impression of new Castle Square Gardens
(Image: Swansea Council)

Swansea Council Council cabinet member Robert Francis Davies said: “It’s great to see work moving ahead at this pivotal location; our new-look Castle Square Gardens will be a fantastic place to meet, spend quality time and enjoy public events and gatherings.

“This multi-million pound project will be part of our ongoing £1bn regeneration of Swansea; it’ll complement work already carried out – or underway now – in neighbouring locations such as Wind Street, Y Storfa, the former Castle Cinema and the McDonald’s building.

“We thank the public for their understanding as we work to finalise plans and look to start the main work.

“The Leaf Boat sculpture will be stored safely for future use in Swansea.”

The glass and steel sculpture was created by artist Amber Hiscott, inspired by lines of Dylan Thomas’s poetry and the way light reflects off Swansea Bay. She won a council competition to create a sculpture for the square and it was installed in 1996.

The South Wales contractor undertaking the item’s removal – DAR Design – is the same business that manufactured the sculpture in collaboration with the artist.

Main work on the new-look Castle Square is due to be completed towards the end of next year, which the council say will see today’s tired-looking Castle Square become greener and more welcoming to all.

#CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #featured #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Visit to explore new future for landmark Swansea building

Plans for the building include 30 new apartments and new commercial units, thanks to a project led by local non-profit Beacon Cymru in partnership with contractors Easyliving Ltd.

In the building’s main elevation facing Worcester Place and the castle, a new commercial unit over two storeys will be created for a café/restaurant type use.

A new glazed box is proposed to overlook the castle and open space.

Intended to accommodate small-scale office use, other new commercial units will include the lower part of the building that fronts on to the Strand.

Computer Generated Images of how the Castle Cinema building will look, once transformation work has been completed.Computer Generated Images of how the Castle Cinema building will look, once transformation work has been completed.Computer Generated Images of how the Castle Cinema building will look, once transformation work has been completed.

As well as a cinema, the building was also home to Lazerzone for many years before its relocation to the former Iceland unit on St David’s Place.

Swansea Council says it has supported Laserzone by granting the business a temporary lease for the unit, pending the regeneration of the overall former St David’s Shopping Centre site in the longer-term.

The council is also supporting the Castle Cinema building project via Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding.

Council Leader Rob Stewart recently visited the building with Cabinet Member Cyril Anderson.

Cllr Stewart said: “Many local people will have fond memories of time spent in the former Castle Cinema building. I can remember watching Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home there in the 1980s, and I also visited in the 1990s to play Laserzone.

“The building is a Swansea landmark and this exciting scheme led by Beacon Cymru and Easyliving Ltd means it’s set for a new lease of life.

“The project will also complement our plans to transform Castle Square into a greener, more welcoming space in a further boost for the city centre.”

How the Castle Cinema building now looks inside.How the Castle Cinema building now looks inside.How the Castle Cinema building now looks inside.How the Castle Cinema building now looks inside.

Luke Takeuchi, Beacon Cymru Deputy Chief Executive, said: “We’re hugely excited about the Castle Cinema building project.

“It’s a great example of collaborative working for a scheme that will make the area more vibrant, while also helping tackle the housing crisis by providing a mix of one and two-bed apartments.”

Stephanie Hughes, Operations Manager at Easyliving Ltd, said: “We’re looking to start on site in the coming weeks and expect the project to take about 27 months to complete.

“It’s a really positive time for Swansea city centre with so much regeneration happening, so we’re delighted to be part of its ongoing transformation.”

Led by Swansea Council, work to transform Castle Square will start this summer.

The scheme will include feature a substantial increase in green space, a new water feature for interactive play, new outdoor seating areas, a giant new TV screen above a bandstand facility, the retention of public use space and two new pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses.

#BeaconCymru #CastleCinema #CastleSquare #CllrRobStewart #EasylivingLtd #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil