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KINGSWAY: Beloved Welsh indie record shop Tangled Parrot moves between two regeneration sites as it picks new flagship location

One of Wales’s longest-running independent record shops is moving across Swansea city centre — and choosing a building delivered by the same housing association that owns its current location.

Tangled Parrot, founded by Matt Davies as a stall in Carmarthen Market in April 2000, is moving from its existing space on Swansea High Street to a dedicated standalone unit at 61 Kingsway. The new store is expected to open before the end of June.

Announcing the move on Instagram, Mr Davies described it as “the most difficult post I’ve had to make in 26 years of running Tangled Parrot” — a reflection of the difficult decision to close the original Carmarthen store at the same time.

A move between two Beacon regeneration sites

Both locations sit within the regeneration footprint of Beacon Cymru — the housing association formerly known as Coastal Housing, which has spent more than a decade rebuilding the commercial and residential offer along High Street and is now extending the same model to the Kingsway.

Beacon’s £100 million-plus High Street investment programme has steadily brought derelict and underused buildings back into use through mixed-tenure schemes, anchoring what is now known as the High Street Urban Village.

The Kingsway location continues the same pattern. Work began in September 2024 to transform the long-vacant former McDonalds at 61 Kingsway — closed since 2010 — into seven apartments for social rent across the upper floors, with two ground floor commercial units fronting onto the Kingsway and Park Street respectively. Tangled Parrot is taking the Kingsway-facing unit.

Beacon Cymru’s then regeneration manager Andrew Parry-Jones said at the time that the McDonalds redevelopment would be the first in a series of city centre projects. Tangled Parrot is now the first significant commercial tenant to take that space.

A bigger Swansea presence

Mr Davies explained the choice of unit on Instagram. “61 Kingsway — a more central location than our current shop on High Street,” he wrote. “There will also be a café space which will be run by a friend… allowing us to do more frequent and bigger events in the shop space.”

The Kingsway location is substantially larger than the previous space at Alleyway Coffee on High Street, allowing Tangled Parrot to run more frequent and bigger events in its own dedicated venue.

Mr Davies framed the move as a deliberate strategic shift. “I’m looking on it overall as a positive move allowing the business to become more focused, to expand our online operation and to collaborate on events with other like-minded folk in the Swansea area,” he wrote.

The shop is known for stocking both new and second-hand records and CDs, with an emphasis on music from the fringes — and sometimes extremes — of the industry, rather than mainstream chart releases.

A growing independent cluster

Tangled Parrot joins what is now a noticeable cluster of independent businesses along the Kingsway. The Bunkhouse — the independent music venue, hostel and café — has already welcomed the news on social media, jokingly offering to lend their new neighbours sugar.

The Kingsway has been the focus of one of the most significant city centre regeneration programmes in Swansea’s recent history. The £1 billion Copr Bay scheme at the street’s eastern end has been the most visible component, but a quieter pattern of housing-association-led mixed-use redevelopment is reshaping the street’s western stretch.

The arrival of a 26-year-old indie record store reflects the growing confidence in the street’s independent commercial offer — a different proposition to the chain-driven retail of the Quadrant Shopping Centre or out-of-town parks like Parc Fforestfach.

The Carmarthen back-story

The Swansea move comes alongside the closure of the original Carmarthen shop, where the business began.

Mr Davies has described the decision to leave Carmarthen as one that took nearly two years to reach. “I have a lot of attachment to Carmarthen,” he wrote. “The town has been good to myself and the shop, and it also nurtured the venue The Parrot before the established CWRW. I’ve made a great many friends in the town and surrounding areas through the shop and I will miss it.”

He cited wider economic pressures as the underlying driver. “The last few years have been difficult in many ways not least economically with the pressures that all retail businesses face nowadays — rising costs across the board and the changing shopping habits affecting basic footfall,” he wrote.

The Carmarthen store will close on 30 May 2026 after a closing sale to lighten the load before the move. A separate Tangled Parrot location in Hay-on-Wye will continue trading unaffected.

The Carmarthen closure leaves a gap in the town’s independent music scene — though Mr Davies has suggested that Dales Music Store, currently based in Tenby, may be planning a move to fill it.

Closing dates and farewell

Tangled Parrot will close its Swansea High Street location for the final time on Wednesday 27 May, with the Carmarthen store remaining open through to the 30 May final day. Both stores will operate normal opening hours in the meantime.

In a video posted to Instagram, longstanding team member Rich shared an emotional farewell to the Carmarthen shop ahead of its closure, reflecting on what the store had meant to him and to customers over the years — and recalling earlier Tangled Parrot homes including the original market stall in 2000 and a previous Bridge Street location, before the current King Street unit. The new Swansea store is expected to open sometime in June.

A win for Beacon, a win for Swansea

For Swansea, the arrival is a clear win. An independent business with 26 years of history, a loyal customer base across south Wales, and a niche cultural offer that’s hard to replicate is choosing the city centre at exactly the moment the Kingsway is finding its post-regeneration identity.

It’s also a small but telling win for Beacon Cymru’s slow-build approach to city centre regeneration. The housing association now anchors much of High Street’s commercial offer, has delivered the first major Kingsway commercial space since the Copr Bay phase, and has retained one of its longstanding tenants through that transition rather than losing it.

Signing off his Instagram announcement, Mr Davies quoted a phrase associated with the late DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall: “Fail we may, sail we must.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Kingsway revival continues as work starts on former McDonalds site
Our September 2024 report on the start of work at the 61 Kingsway redevelopment.

The £100m investment that’s transforming Swansea’s High Street
Our March 2024 feature on Beacon Cymru’s wider High Street programme.

Copr Bay coverage from Swansea Bay News
Our ongoing reporting on the £1 billion city centre regeneration scheme.

#BeaconCymru #Bunkhouse #CoastalHousing #CoprBay #Kingsway #regeneration #retail #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #TangledParrot

SWANSEA: Kingsway office block on old Oceana nightclub site named most impressive commercial workplace in South of England and Wales

Generations of Swansea revellers knew 71/72 The Kingsway as Oceana — one of the city’s biggest nightclubs. Now the site has won two national awards as one of the most impressive new office buildings in the South of England and South Wales.

71/72 Kingsway — the striking glass and concrete building that replaced the former nightclub — took home both the Commercial Workplace award and the Innovation award at the British Council for Offices South of England & South Wales Awards, held in Bristol on Wednesday night.

It was the only building in the competition to win two categories — beating schemes in Penzance, Maidenhead, Bracknell and Bristol to claim the double. It is also the only Welsh winner in this year’s competition.

Judges said the building “stood out for its seamless integration of architectural quality, sustainability, and user-focused innovation” — and called it “an enabler for future regeneration of Swansea city centre, with multiple active frontages, new routes, and a bold architectural approach.”

Swansea Council built the development — partly funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal — with the ambition of turning The Kingsway into a proper business district. The numbers suggest it is working. Around 80% of the office space is already let, and the council estimates that once fully occupied, the building could create up to 600 jobs and contribute £32.6 million to the city’s economy every year.

The building is already filling up fast. Global workspace giant IWG — which runs Regus — signed for 20,000 sq ft earlier this year, joining TUI, Amazon-owned Veeqo, Optical Express, sk:n clinic and Futures First as tenants.

Harry Allen, chair of the judging panel and director at Savills, said what stood out about this year’s winners was their impact beyond the workplace itself.

“From revitalising town centres and supporting local economies to redefining the role of the modern office, each scheme demonstrates how far the sector has evolved,” he said. “Collectively, they reflect a growing emphasis on sustainability, wellbeing and creating workspaces with a strong sense of place.”

BCO chief executive Samantha McClary said the Swansea win was proof that reports of the death of the office had been greatly exaggerated.

“Vibrant, impactful, enablers, drivers of economic growth — this is exactly what our workspaces are,” she said. “The idea that the office is dead is most definitely fake news.”

Inside, the building is as striking as its exterior. A stepped timber forum runs the length of the ground floor, lit by dozens of circular pendant lights. A sculptural spiral staircase connects the upper floors. A rooftop terrace — where Swansea’s big wheel is visible on the skyline — sits above it all.

The ground floor reception and atrium of 71/72 Kingsway, showing the building’s exposed concrete and industrial design aesthetic. (Image: supplied) The stepped forum inside 71/72 Kingsway, one of the design features cited by BCO judges. (Image: supplied)
71/72 Kingsway seen from street level, with The Kingsway visible below and the building’s distinctive upper floors and mesh façade above. (Image: Johan Dehlin / supplied)The rooftop terrace at 71/72 Kingsway, with the Swansea big wheel visible on the skyline. (Image: Johan Dehlin / supplied)

The award is the latest piece of good news for Swansea’s city centre regeneration. The former Debenhams building — long a symbol of high street decline — was sold earlier this month to Quadrant owners Centurion, with three major new tenants expected to be named soon.

71/72 Kingsway now goes forward to the BCO National Awards on 6 October 2026 at Grosvenor House in London — competing against regional winners from across the UK for the top national prizes.

The building sits at the heart of a Kingsway that looks very different to the one that hosted Oceana, Top Rank and a succession of entertainment venues across the decades — and the council’s bet that offices, not nightclubs, are the future of the street appears to be paying off.

Work is already under way on a further major office development at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site nearby, with Swansea’s transformation as a modern commercial centre gathering pace on multiple fronts simultaneously.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: Global workspace giant IWG takes huge 20,000 sq ft at booming Kingsway development
The latest big name to sign up at 71/72 Kingsway — and what it means for the city centre.

SWANSEA: Debenhams building sold to Quadrant owners as three major new tenants set to be named ‘within days’
More good news for Swansea city centre as the former Debenhams finds a new owner and new purpose.

All our 71/72 Kingsway coverage
From demolition of the old Oceana site to award-winning office block — the full story.

#7172Kingsway #award #BCO #BritishCouncilForOfficesSouthOfEnglandSouthWalesAwards #CommercialWorkplaceAward #InnovationAward #Kingsway #officeDevelopment #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

SWANSEA: Don’t ignore that NCP parking fine — and here’s what the May 20 meeting means for Kingsway, Orchard Street and City Gates

A lot of people are asking the same question right now: if NCP has gone bust, do I still have to pay that fine? The short answer is yes — and ignoring it could land you in trouble.

Car leasing experts at LeaseLoco are warning drivers not to assume that NCP going into administration wipes the slate clean. The company still legally exists — it’s just being run by accountancy firm PwC, who were brought in as administrators back in March. And as far as they’re concerned, it’s business as usual.

John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco, said: “A lot of people are confused about where this leaves them and we’re worried the news is going to catch some drivers out. If you are using an NCP car park, remember to continue to pay as normal — otherwise you can still face a fine.”

He added: “Those with existing fines should also treat these as they usually would by either appealing or paying it off. NCP has gone into administration which means it still exists — this doesn’t make fines void all of a sudden.”

The NCP Orchard Street Car Park in Swansea city centre. Picture: Swansea Bay News

PwC confirmed this week that “all other car parks remain open to customers” — so if you’re parking in one of Swansea’s three NCP car parks, you still need to pay.

So why did NCP collapse in the first place? The company — which manages 340 car parks and employs around 681 people nationally — never really recovered from the pandemic. Fewer people commuting into city centres meant lower occupancy, and the company was stuck in long-term leases it couldn’t get out of. Eventually it ran out of cash, and the directors called in the administrators.

Since then, PwC has been closing the sites it can’t make work. Twenty car parks shut on 27 March, including sites in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Leicester. Four more followed on 16 April in Belfast, Coventry, Leicester and Sheffield. Five more closed on 30 April in Bradford, Chester, Kidderminster, Nottingham and Southampton.

That’s 29 closures in total — and not one of them is in Wales.

The NCP Kingsway Car Park in Swansea city centre. Picture: Swansea Bay NewsThe NCP Orchard Street Car Park viewed from the street. Picture: Swansea Bay News

When NCP entered administration in March, Swansea’s three city centre car parks — Kingsway, Orchard Street and City Gates — were immediately put under a cloud of uncertainty. Together they provide a huge chunk of city centre parking, and their loss would be a serious blow for shoppers, workers and visitors.

Kingsway alone is one of the busiest car parks in the city centre — a short walk from the Quadrant, the market and the high street. Losing it, along with Orchard Street and City Gates, would leave a significant hole in Swansea’s parking provision at a time when the city centre is already fighting to attract footfall.

The good news is that all three have survived every round of cuts so far. But survival so far is not the same as safety — and the administrators have been clear that every site remains under ongoing review.

The big date is Wednesday 20 May, when NCP’s creditors meet to discuss the future of the business. A creditors meeting is where the people owed money — landlords, suppliers, lenders — get to hear what the administrators have found and what the options are. PwC has said it is exploring a potential sale of all or part of the company as one route forward.

If a buyer is found, some or all of the remaining car parks could continue under new ownership. If not, further closures are likely. Either way, May 20 should bring some clarity on which way the wind is blowing for Swansea.

Until then, the message from the experts is simple: carry on as normal. Pay for your parking. Pay your fines. Don’t assume the chaos means you can get away with it — because you can’t.

#administration #carPark #Kingsway #KingswayMultiStoreyCarPark #motoring #MSCP #NCP #OrchardStreet #OrchardStreetMultiStoreyCarPark #pwc #Swansea

RESTAURANT AWARDS: Swansea restaurants celebrate at Welsh Restaurant Awards 2026 as Greek Flavours crowned Mediterranean best

A string of restaurants from Swansea, Carmarthenshire and across south-west Wales have been recognised at the Welsh Restaurant Awards 2026, with Greek Flavours in Swansea crowned Mediterranean Restaurant of the Year.

The awards, organised by Oceanic Awards, were presented at a ceremony held on Monday 23 March at The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, celebrating the best of Wales’s restaurant scene across more than 25 categories.

Greek Flavours in Swansea took the top prize in the Mediterranean category, beating off competition from across Wales. The Swansea restaurant also had company in its category, with El Fuego in Swansea recognised for excellence in the same award.

Greek Flavours restaurant on Swansea’s Kingsway (Image: Urban Foundry)

Swansea featured heavily across the results. Adelina’s Bar and Kitchen in Swansea won the Indian Restaurant of the Year title, while Hiks was recognised for excellence in the Fish and Chips Restaurant of the Year category. Burger Freakz took a recognised for excellence nod in the Burger Restaurant of the Year category, and Bouchon De Rossi received an outstanding achievement award in the European Restaurant of the Year category.

The city also collected recognition in the buffet, Asian and pizza categories, with Zazah Buffet Swansea, Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese and Pizzeria Vesuvio all receiving recognised for excellence commendations. Bamboo Restaurant was similarly recognised in the Asian Fusion category, and Rasoi Waterfront picked up a recognised for excellence nod in the Curry Restaurant of the Year category.

Swansea also had its own dedicated category, with Turtle Bay named Best of Swansea. El Pescador Restaurant and Bar picked up an outstanding achievement award, and Altitude28 Restaurant and Sky Bar was recognised for excellence in the same category.

Carmarthenshire was also well represented. Ty Glo in Carmarthen received an outstanding achievement award in the Family Restaurant of the Year category, while Amanah’s Dining and Functions in Ammanford was recognised with an outstanding achievement award in the Indian Restaurant of the Year category. Riverside Cafe in Newcastle Emlyn picked up an outstanding achievement commendation in the Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant of the Year category.

In Porthcawl, Beale’s Park Fish Restaurant received an outstanding achievement award in the Fish and Chips Restaurant of the Year category.

Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of Oceanic Awards, said the awards were an opportunity to showcase the very best of the Welsh restaurant sector. “These awards aim to provide a platform to those who have dedicated their career in providing us with delicious dishes across multiple cuisines,” she said. “We want to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.”

The full list of winners and nominees from the Swansea Bay area and beyond is below.

Mediterranean Restaurant of the Year — Greek Flavours, Swansea (Winner). Recognised for Excellence: El Fuego, Swansea.

Indian Restaurant of the Year — Adelina’s Bar and Kitchen, Swansea (Winner). Outstanding Achievement: Amanah’s Dining and Functions, Ammanford.

Best of Swansea — Turtle Bay (Winner). Outstanding Achievement: El Pescador Restaurant and Bar. Recognised for Excellence: Altitude28 Restaurant and Sky Bar.

Fish and Chips Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Beale’s Park Fish Restaurant, Porthcawl. Recognised for Excellence: Hiks, Swansea.

European Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Bouchon De Rossi, Swansea.

Burger Restaurant of the Year — Recognised for Excellence: Burger Freakz, Swansea.

Curry Restaurant of the Year — Recognised for Excellence: Rasoi Waterfront, Swansea.

Pizza Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Pizzeria Vesuvio, Swansea.

Asian Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese, Swansea.

Asian Fusion Restaurant of the Year — Recognised for Excellence: Bamboo Restaurant, Swansea.

Buffet Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Zazah Buffet Swansea.

Family Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Ty Glo, Carmarthen.

Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant of the Year — Outstanding Achievement: Riverside Cafe, Newcastle Emlyn.

#AdelinaSBarAndKitchen #Altitude28Restaurant #BambooRestaurant #BouchonDeRossi #BurgerFreakz #ElFuegoRestaurant #ElPescador #foodDrink #foodAwards #GigiGaoSFavouriteAuthenticChinese #GreekFlavours #GreekRestaurant #Kingsway #OceanicAwards #PizzeriaVesuvio #RasoiWaterfront #restaurant #Swansea #SwanseaRestaurants #TurtleBay #WelshRestaurantAwards #ZazahBuffet

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

SWANSEA: Global workspace giant IWG takes huge 20,000 sq ft at booming Kingsway development

International Working Group (IWG) is fitting out nearly 20,000 square feet at the site, marking another step in the city’s ongoing regeneration efforts.

This move will see new shared offices, private rooms, and meeting areas open in the heart of Swansea.

The 71/72 Kingsway building, developed by Swansea Council and partly funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal, is already proving popular, with 80% of its office space now let.

Council estimates suggest that once fully occupied, the entire development could create up to 600 jobs and boost the city’s economy by £32.6 million each year.

IWG, which runs brands like Regus, is expanding its operations to meet what it calls “rising demand” for flexible working across South Wales.

Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of IWG, said Swansea was an “important business hub” for their expansion plans.

Mr Dixon stated: “We are very pleased to work in partnership with Swansea Council to add workspace to the 71/72 Kingsway building.”

He claimed that flexible working improves employee work-life balance and boosts productivity.

Mr Dixon added: “Our workplace model is proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs while providing access to thousands of locations.”

Swansea Council Leader, Cllr Rob Stewart, welcomed IWG’s arrival, calling it a “strong vote of confidence” in the city.

Cllr Stewart said: “We’re delighted that IWG is now fitting out its space at 71/72 Kingsway, building on the momentum created by other tenants who are already operating from the development.”

He added that IWG’s presence “reflects the growing demand for high-quality, flexible workspaces.”

Mark Dixon (left), CEO & Founder of IWG, and Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, outside the striking 71/72 Kingsway development. (Image: Swansea Council)

The 71/72 Kingsway scheme has already attracted other businesses, including Tui, Amazon-owned Veeqo, Optical Express, sk:n, and Futures First.

This influx of companies is expected to increase footfall and support other businesses in the city centre, as part of wider regeneration projects.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Big tech boost as Amazon-owned Veeqo opens new Swansea HQ
How a major Kingsway office move is helping to reshape Swansea’s city centre economy.

Optical Express and sk:n sign up for major new Kingsway office scheme
New tenants underline the push to turn The Kingsway into a modern business district.

New city centre courtyard to honour late council officer Huw Mowbray
A new public space pays tribute to a key figure behind Swansea’s regeneration projects.

Major Swansea office scheme officially opens with further tenant announced
A flagship office development opens its doors as another business signs up to move in.

#7172Kingsway #Business #cityCentre #Economy #FlexibleWorking #InternationalWorkingGroup #IWG #jobs #Kingsway #officeDevelopment #Regus #Spaces #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil

NCP enters administration putting key Swansea car parks at risk

National Car Parks (NCP), which operates around 340 car parks across the UK, has called in administrators from PwC after running out of cash.

The company employs more than 680 people nationwide and manages parking at key locations including city centres, hospitals, airports and transport hubs.

What it means right now

Despite the move, drivers are being told it’s business as usual — for now.

Administrators say all car parks remain open, staff are still in place, and there will be no immediate changes for customers.

But a full review of the business is now underway — and that could ultimately lead to closures or changes at some sites.

NCP Swansea Orchard Street car park, a major multi-storey facility serving Swansea city centre.
(Image: Google Maps)

Major Swansea sites under the spotlight

In Swansea, NCP operates several of the city centre’s best-known car parks — all of which are now part of the administration process.

These include Kingsway (328 spaces), Orchard Street (512 spaces), City Gates (251 spaces), Jockey Street (36 spaces), and a small additional site at Northampton Lane. A further NCP car park also operates in Neath on Orchard Street.

Together, these sites provide hundreds of spaces used daily by shoppers, commuters and visitors, making them a key part of the city’s infrastructure.

While no specific closures have been confirmed, administrators have made clear that every site will be assessed for viability.

NCP Swansea City Gates car park near the Vue cinema complex in Swansea city centre.
(Image: Google Maps)

A company with decades of history

National Car Parks is one of the UK’s oldest parking operators, with roots dating back to the 1930s as car ownership began to rise across Britain.

Originally formed to manage growing demand for city parking, the business expanded rapidly in the post-war years, becoming a familiar name in towns and cities across the country.

Over the decades, NCP grew into a dominant force in the sector, operating hundreds of sites and becoming synonymous with multi-storey car parks in urban centres.

However, like many traditional parking operators, it has struggled to adapt to changing travel habits in recent years — particularly the decline in daily commuting.

Why NCP has entered administration

According to PwC, the company has struggled for years following the pandemic.

Changes in working habits — particularly the shift to home working — have reduced demand for city centre parking, while long-term lease agreements have left the business locked into high costs.

In a statement, PwC said the company had insufficient cash to meet its financial obligations, forcing directors to place it into administration.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator, said:

“NCP has faced a challenging trading environment over several years, with changing consumer behaviours impacting volumes, and a high fixed cost-base leading to trading losses.”

He added:

“All sites are open, staff remain in post, and trading continues as normal.”

Jobs and closures risk

Although staff remain employed for now, the future is uncertain.

Administrators are exploring options including selling all or part of the business, while also negotiating with landlords in a bid to cut costs.

However, they have warned that some locations may not be viable, meaning closures are a real possibility.

What happens next

For now, drivers across Swansea and Neath can continue to use NCP car parks as normal.

But with every site under review, the longer-term future of some locations remains unclear.

For city centre businesses already facing challenges, any loss of parking could have a knock-on effect — making this a story that’s likely to develop in the weeks ahead.

#administration #businessNews #carParks #CityGates #CityGatesMultiStoreyCarPark #featured #jobs #Kingsway #KingswayMultiStoreyCarPark #MSCP #NationalCarParks #Neath #OrchardStreet #OrchardStreetMultiStoreyCarPark #parking #pwc #SalubriousPlace #Swansea

Optical Express and sk:n sign up for major new Kingsway office scheme

Optical Express and partner brand sk:n have taken a ground‑floor unit at the new £32.6m office scheme, bringing private vision correction, cataract consultations and dermatology services into the heart of the city centre. Both say they can offer treatment within days or weeks of first contact.

Swansea Bay News first reported plans for the clinic last April.

New clinic promises rapid access to specialist care

Optical Express, the UK’s market leader in private vision correction surgery, will offer consultations for cataract surgery, presbyopia lens replacement and laser eye surgery. Partner brand sk:n will provide dermatology, aesthetic and laser treatments.

Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director for Optical Express and sk:n, said:

“We are delighted to open our new clinic on the Kingsway in Swansea.

“This state‑of‑the‑art, environmentally conscious space provides the ideal setting for Optical Express and sk:n to deliver world‑class care to the local community.

“It reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional patient experience, supported by the latest technology, modern facilities, and outstanding clinical teams.

“Vision correction surgery not only improves the sight of patients but also their quality of life. As our service delivery progresses, career opportunities will also develop for local people.”

Kingsway development now 80% let

The arrival of Optical Express and sk:n marks another milestone for the 104,000 sq ft Kingsway scheme, which is now 80% let. Staff from Tui, Amazon‑owned tech firm Veeqo, Futures First and building operator Savills are already based there, with flexible workspace provider IWG now fitting out its own space.

Once fully operational, the building will accommodate up to 600 workers and is expected to be worth £32.6m a year to Swansea’s economy.

Council says scheme is boosting footfall and business confidence

Swansea Council says the development is helping address a long‑standing shortage of high‑quality office space in the city, which had previously risked pushing businesses elsewhere.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“There has been a shortage of high‑quality office accommodation in Swansea which meant there was a risk to retaining businesses in the city and attracting new businesses and jobs here.

“The 71/72 Kingsway scheme is aimed at helping tackle that challenge, so I’m delighted to welcome Optical Express and sk:n as the latest tenants for the scheme.

“Given challenges like online shopping, Swansea city centre also needs more footfall and spending to support our existing businesses and encourage more shops and other businesses to open there.

“Numbers of potential customers are key to businesses when they’re considering where to invest, so the 71/72 Kingsway scheme – alongside many others which are either complete, ongoing or planned – will help create those numbers.”

Green features and new public spaces

The development includes a rooftop terrace overlooking Swansea Bay, solar panels, heat‑recovery systems and a new pedestrian link between The Kingsway and Oxford Street.

Work has now begun on a new green courtyard forming part of that link. It will be named Mowbray Yard, in honour of the late Huw Mowbray, a respected Swansea Council officer whose work helped shape the modern city centre.

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Powys man jailed after New Year’s Day bottle attack in Swansea nightclub

Swansea Crown Court heard that 27‑year‑old Craig Cole, from Ystradgynlais, struck the man several times after seeing him speak to his former partner on the stairs of the Plan B nightclub off The Kingsway.

The victim suffered four wounds to the top of his head, one of which had to be glued shut. He later told the court he was struggling to come to terms with the attack and that the thought of how much worse it could have been “stays with me”.

Cole pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was jailed for 30 months.

Judge says defendant acted out of “insecure, sexual jealousy”

Judge Paul Thomas KC said Cole had shown “an excess of insecure, sexual jealousy” and attacked the man “simply because he had the temerity to talk to your ex‑partner”. He told Cole he needed to “grow up” and understand that women are not his property.

The court heard the victim had been out with friends on December 31 before ending up in Plan B. After a brief exchange with Cole’s former partner, Cole appeared and a confrontation followed. Several women stepped between the two men, but Cole reached over them and hit the victim repeatedly with a vodka bottle he had taken from his pocket.

When a member of security intervened, Cole pushed him away and struck the victim again as he tried to walk off.

Victim taken to hospital after “bloody” assault

The attack was reported to police and the victim was taken to hospital, where medics treated four separate head wounds. He said he remembered little of the incident other than seeing a bottle coming towards him and then receiving first aid inside the club.

A week later, Cole handed himself in at Swansea Central police station but answered “no comment” to all questions.

Previous convictions and “10 seconds of madness”

The court heard Cole has six previous convictions for nine offences, including criminal damage and common assault. One earlier incident also involved a male and an ex‑partner, during which Cole threw a brick through a window and injured the man inside.

His barrister said the nightclub incident was “10 seconds of madness” fuelled by jealousy, alcohol and a sense of being “disrespected”. He said Cole had written a letter to the court expressing remorse and that a former employer had described him as having a strong work ethic.

Police say jealousy was the motive

PC Matthew McGowan said:

Craig Cole is a young man who was clearly full of immense jealousy regarding any attention shown to his ex‑partner.

That jealousy caused him to become violent. His actions were completely unacceptable and could have caused lasting damage to the victim.

There was no other alternative outcome than for Cole to go to prison.

Cole will serve up to half his 30‑month sentence in custody before being released on licence.

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