SWANSEA: Up to 37,000 homes and businesses to get faster broadband in £1.5m network upgrade

Up to 37,000 homes and businesses in Swansea are set to get faster, more reliable broadband after a £1.5 million investment was announced by nexfibre — a company building a nationwide broadband network as a direct rival to Openreach, which currently owns and operates most of the UK’s broadband infrastructure.

The investment will see full-fibre broadband cables laid to properties across the city. Unlike older broadband technology which relies partly on copper telephone wires, full-fibre connections run entirely on fibre-optic cables, delivering faster and more consistent speeds.

Residents and businesses will not need to sign up to nexfibre directly. The company builds the network and then sells access to internet service providers — meaning once the infrastructure is in place, customers will be able to choose from a range of broadband providers who use the network to deliver their services. Existing Virgin Media customers in the affected areas are among those expected to be upgraded as part of the rollout.

The announcement follows nexfibre’s acquisition of rival broadband infrastructure company Netomnia earlier this year, a deal which the company says will unlock £3.5 billion of international investment into the UK’s digital infrastructure. nexfibre is a joint venture between three large international telecoms and investment companies — InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica — and its network already covers more than 2.6 million properties across the UK.

The combined network, following the Netomnia deal, is expected to reach around eight million properties nationwide by the end of 2027.

Rajiv Datta, chief executive of nexfibre, said the investment would help deliver better access to education, jobs and opportunities.

“Full-fibre broadband is a crucial driver of economic growth,” he said, “and our investment in Swansea will help deliver better access to education, jobs, and opportunities that can transform lives and uplift entire communities.”

The deal has been welcomed by Lord Stockwood, the UK Government’s Minister for Investment, though no specific Welsh Government or Swansea Council response has been made public.

The investment is part of a broader push to expand full-fibre coverage across the UK, where Openreach has historically been the dominant network provider. nexfibre is positioning itself as a large-scale competitor, giving internet service providers an alternative network to use — which its backers say will increase competition and drive down prices for consumers.

The Swansea rollout is subject to regulatory approval of the wider Netomnia acquisition, which is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. No specific timeline for when Swansea residents will see work begin on the ground has been given.

nexfibre says its network will be open to all broadband providers, giving residents a choice of supplier rather than being tied to a single company.

Anyone currently with a broadband provider in the affected areas does not need to take any action at this stage. Further details on when the upgrade will reach specific streets or postcodes are expected to be announced closer to the rollout date.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Full fibre broadband rollout begins in Clydach
Openreach engineers began installing full-fibre infrastructure in Clydach as part of the company’s UK-wide network upgrade programme.

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr multibank
Virgin Media O2 donated smartphones and free data to a Swansea community initiative aimed at tackling digital exclusion.

Virgin Media fined £23.8m for leaving vulnerable customers at risk during digital switchover
Virgin Media O2 was fined £23.8 million after the regulator found it had failed to protect vulnerable customers during the switchover to digital phone lines.

Swansea digital skills boost for residents in Bonymaen, Clase and Portmead
A digital skills programme aimed at helping Swansea residents get online and build confidence with technology was launched in three city communities.

#broadband #fullFibreBroadband #internetAccess #nexfibre #Swansea #VirginMediaO2

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

GOWERTON: Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished

Firefighters tackled a major blaze at an abandoned three-storey building on Sterry Road in Gowerton on Easter Monday afternoon, with multiple fire engines at the scene and the road closed in both directions.

The building — formerly the London and North Western Railway Club, known locally as the LNW Club — has been empty for a number of years and was put up for auction in 2023. Thick black smoke and flames could be seen rising above the rooftops of the village shopping street, with residents and passersby gathering to watch from a safe distance.

Sterry Road, a busy shopping street in the village served by the Service 16 bus route, was closed from Talbot Street in both directions. South Wales Police urged people to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

In a statement, police said: “We’re at the scene of an incident on Sterry Road, Gowerton, Swansea. The road is currently closed from Talbot Street and Sterry Road in both directions. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Thank you for your patience.”

Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Paula Draper)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Karen Hughes)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Karen Hughes)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)

Several fire engines attended the scene, including an aerial ladder platform. Crews could be seen working to bring the blaze under control. The LNW Club sits next door to the village’s fish and chip shop, in the heart of Sterry Road’s stretch of independent cafes and shops.

Eyewitnesses described seeing thick smoke visible from across the village, with the blaze breaking through the roof of the three-storey building. Images shared on social media showed multiple appliances positioned around the scene and police tape closing off the street.

The building has a long local history. The LMS — the London, Midland and Scottish Railway — operated the former Swansea to Llanelli line which ran through Gowerton before it was dismantled. The route now forms part of a popular cycle track running from Blackpill to Gowerton, widely used by walkers and cyclists.

The club itself latterly carried the name of the London and North Western Railway, another of the historic railway companies associated with the line. The building was listed for auction by Paul Fosh Auctions in 2023 but its current ownership position is unclear.

The fire is not the first to have affected the building. It has previously been the subject of reports of anti-social behaviour in the area, including broken windows at the LNW premises. Local residents have raised concerns about the state of the vacant building on a number of previous occasions.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries, home to a range of independent businesses. The road closure caused disruption to Easter Monday traffic in the area, with drivers being advised to find alternative routes through the village.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers the Gowerton area, was contacted for comment. South Wales Police confirmed the road closure remained in place.

Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Carl Jones)

UPDATE — Monday 6 April, 7pm

South Wales Police have confirmed the fire has now been extinguished, though officers remain at the scene assisting fire crews. A force spokesperson said: “South Wales Police was called at 1:22pm on Monday April 6 to a fire at a property on Sterry Road, Gowerton. The fire has been extinguished and officers remain at the scene assisting fire crews.”

The roof of the building has collapsed as a result of the blaze, with pictures from the scene showing the structure severely damaged.

This is not the first time the property has been destroyed by fire. In October 2020 fire crews attended a major blaze at the then-disused building, tackling it throughout the day. A new roof was fitted in 2021 following the damage caused by that fire — the same roof that has now been lost in today’s incident. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 blaze remained.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

LLANELLI: Police crack down on North Dock anti-social behaviour hotspot
Officers have stepped up patrols at one of Llanelli’s most persistent anti-social behaviour flashpoints.

SWANSEA: Big kit, tight planning, solid team — the contractors behind the bascule bridge’s successful move
The companies and crews who pulled off one of Swansea’s most complex engineering operations in recent years.

Photos: Lyneth Howells, Carl Jones, Karen Hughes, Paula Draper

#featured #fire #Gowerton #LMSClub #LNWClub #LNWClubFire #LondonAndNorthWesternRailway #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescue #SouthWalesPolice #SterryRoad #Swansea

SWANSEA: Almost one in five residents kept savings in current accounts — costing them hundreds in lost interest

Almost one in five people in Swansea kept their savings sitting in a current account rather than a higher-interest account last year — one of the highest rates in the UK and a habit that savings experts say is quietly costing people hundreds of pounds a year.

New analysis of banking data by Skipton Building Society found that 19% of Swansea residents were holding their cash in current accounts rather than moving it into interest-bearing accounts such as cash ISAs — placing the city fourth highest in the country for the trend, behind only Aberdeen, Worcester and York.

The national picture is stark. The analysis, based on CACI banking data from January 2026, found that 80 million current accounts across the UK sit at 0% interest, holding a combined £327 billion in cash. Moved into a savings account earning even a modest rate of interest, that money would collectively generate more than £14 billion extra a year for savers.

The ISA — Individual Savings Account — allows people to shelter up to £20,000 a year from tax on interest earned. The annual allowance resets each April, meaning any unused portion of last year’s allowance has now been permanently lost. For Swansea residents who spent 2025-26 with savings sitting in a current account earning nothing, the opportunity to shelter those returns tax-free has gone.

The trend is partly explained by a preference for easy access. A separate Skipton survey of 2,000 adults found that one in eight savers nationally is choosing current accounts specifically for their flexibility — keeping cash within arm’s reach in uncertain economic times. Younger savers are among those least likely to understand the tax advantages of ISAs, with 16% of Generation Z admitting they do not fully understand the benefits of using their annual allowance.

It is a pattern that resonates in Swansea, a city where household finances have faced sustained pressure in recent years from rising rents, energy costs and grocery bills. Keeping money liquid feels prudent — but the cost of doing so is harder to see because it shows up as interest never earned rather than money actively spent.

Alex Sitaras, head of savings at Skipton Building Society, said savers did not have to choose between flexibility and returns. He recommended keeping a portion of savings accessible for emergencies while moving longer-term savings into tax-efficient accounts, describing split saving strategies as a practical middle ground. He also urged people to review their savings arrangements regularly — pointing out that 12% of account holders in 2025 only checked their accounts once a year, often missing better rates that had emerged since they first opened them.

With the new tax year now under way, this year’s ISA allowance is a blank slate. The annual limit remains £20,000 — and for those who did not use last year’s, the new year is a fresh chance to make sure cash is working as hard as possible.

For first-time buyers, the Lifetime ISA remains particularly valuable — with the Government adding 25% to contributions made by eligible savers working towards a first home, up to a maximum bonus of £1,000 a year.

Whether in Swansea or anywhere else, the underlying message from the data is simple: money left in a current account earning nothing is money quietly losing ground to inflation — and in a city that ranks fourth in the country for the habit, there is a lot of it.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New banking app and branch expansion as Swansea Building Society sees strong demand from savers and homebuyers
Swansea Building Society reports rising demand as savers seek better returns.

The supermarket maths trick — the GCSE skill that could stop shoppers falling for fake deals
How a simple calculation could save Swansea shoppers money every week.

Houmous is IN, hotels are OUT! Shocking new basket reveals how YOUR spending has changed
How the nation’s shopping habits have shifted in the latest official consumer basket update.

Price shock: Iran conflict to hit your pockets as window and door prices set to soar this summer
Global conflict is set to push up the cost of home improvements across south Wales.

#CashISA #ISA #money #personalFinance #savings #SkiptonBuildingSociety #Swansea

#bike #swansea #criticalmass

Historic 70-tonne Bascule Bridge makes its move as restoration takes a major step forward

Drivers near the Swansea.com Stadium should expect disruption tonight as one of the city’s most unusual road users makes its journey through the streets — a 70-tonne Victorian bridge on the move.

Swansea’s historic Bascule Bridge will be transported from its temporary home at the Landore Park and Ride site to a verge on Brunel Way tonight, where it will wait to be lifted back into its permanent position over the River Tawe.

The move will begin at 9pm and is expected to be completed by 6am tomorrow morning. A rolling road closure will be in place on a short section of the A4217 near the stadium before moving on to Brunel Way, with local diversions set up along the route.

The span of the River Tawe, where the Bascule Bridge will be sited.
(Image: Swansea Council)

The almost 120-year-old steel span — a Grade II listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument — has been in storage while specialist restoration work is carried out on its damaged timber supports. That work is expected to be complete early next year, after which the bridge will be lifted back into place.

Once restored and reinstated, the Bascule Bridge will form part of a shared-use path alongside Brunel Way, crossing the River Tawe and giving pedestrians and cyclists a historic link across the water.

The bridge’s return is part of the wider restoration of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site — one of Swansea’s most significant industrial heritage projects, which is bringing back to life the remains of what was once the largest copper works in the world.

As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, the restoration of the Bascule Bridge has been a careful, painstaking process given its protected status. The structure cannot simply be repaired — every intervention must be sympathetic to its heritage value and approved in line with its listed building and scheduled monument designations.

Tonight’s move brings the bridge one significant step closer to the moment Swansea residents will be able to walk and cycle across it again for the first time in years.

Drivers in the area tonight are advised to allow extra time and follow the signed diversions.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Restoration work on Swansea’s historic Bascule Bridge moves ahead
The latest on the bridge’s restoration — and what the project means for the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site.

Restoration work on historic Swansea bridge moves ahead
Earlier coverage of the painstaking process of bringing one of Swansea’s most unusual listed structures back to life.

#A4217 #BasculeBridge #BrunelWay #heritage #industrialHeritage #LandoreParkAndRide #RiverTawe #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaComStadium

SWANSEA: Final-year nursing student shortlisted for national award for her dedication to patients with learning disabilities

A Swansea nursing student has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award that recognises the very best in student nursing — and she hopes her nomination can help put the spotlight on a specialism that she says changes lives every day.

Ellesse Mathias, who is in her final year at Swansea University, has been named as a finalist in the Learning Disabilities category at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards. The awards recognise outstanding students, educators and organisations across nursing and midwifery in the UK, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 24.

Ellesse, who is from Swansea, said she was “shocked and humbled” to have been shortlisted. “It means a great deal to know that others have recognised my passion for supporting people with learning disabilities and advocating for them across education and practice,” she said.

She described choosing learning disability nursing as both a personal and a professional decision, drawn to a specialism that she says sits at the heart of what healthcare should be about. “I am passionate about ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability or complexity of need, is able to live a meaningful and valued life,” she said.

Learning disability nursing is one of the four branches of nursing in the UK but is frequently less understood by the public than other areas of the profession. Nurses working in the specialism support individuals across a huge range of settings — from community care to hospitals — often over long periods of time, building deep knowledge of the people they work with.

Ellesse says it is that depth of relationship that makes the role so rewarding. “I enjoy the uniqueness of the role — being able to build genuine relationships, problem-solve creatively, and really get to know the people I support,” she said. “Often, you develop such a strong understanding that you can anticipate needs before they are even expressed, which is incredibly rewarding.”

Having nearly completed her degree, Ellesse is now preparing to start her first nursing post at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant. She has set her sights firmly on using her career to drive change beyond the ward.

“My ambition is to influence practice at both a clinical and wider system level, ensuring there is greater understanding, advocacy, and inclusion for individuals with learning disabilities,” she said.

She added that she hoped her shortlisting would help raise the profile of the specialism itself. “I hope this opportunity allows me to further highlight the unique and essential role of learning disability nurses — not only within the workforce, but in the lives of the individuals and families we support.”

It is a role that touches a significant number of people. According to NHS estimates, around 1.5 million people in England have a learning disability, with many more across Wales, and people with learning disabilities face significant health inequalities compared to the wider population. Learning disability nurses are central to addressing those inequalities — supporting people to access healthcare, manage complex needs, and live as independently as possible.

Ellesse’s ambitions stretch beyond clinical practice. She said she hoped to continue shaping services, supporting future students, and “strengthening the role of learning disability nursing across all areas of healthcare” as her career progresses.

The Student Nursing Times Awards ceremony takes place in London on Friday, April 24.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

‘Rise up and show up’: Carmarthen student’s courage earns top learning award
Another young person from the region being recognised nationally for determination and achievement.

“I wouldn’t be in this position without her” — Neath student takes first step towards legal career
A Neath student making her mark — more inspiring stories of young people from our region reaching for their goals.

Swansea University alumnus funds ‘Global Lounge’ to unite students across cultures
More from Swansea University — where students and graduates continue to make their mark.

Swansea students put household rubbish to the test to win bridge building competition
Swansea University students in the news for all the right reasons.

#learningDisabilities #nursing #StudentNursingTimesAwards #Swansea #SwanseaUniversity

CITY CENTRE LIVING: Ten new flats planned for top of Princess Way building overlooking Castle Square

Plans have been submitted to create ten new flats on the top floor of a well-known Princess Way commercial building, in the latest sign that Swansea’s city centre is slowly being transformed into somewhere people can live as well as shop.

The application, submitted to Swansea Council by St Mary’s Square Developments, proposes ten one- and two-bedroom apartments on the recessed upper floor of the Castle Quays building — the prominent seven-unit commercial block that stretches along Princess Way with aspects over both Castle Square and the council’s new Y Storfa hub in the former BHS store.

The Castle Quays development on the site of the former David Evans Department store
(Image: St Mary’s Square Developments)

Each of the proposed flats would have access to outdoor patio space. According to the design and access statement submitted with the application, no changes are proposed to the height, footprint or principal exterior elevations of the building. Cycle storage and bin storage would be provided at ground floor level, and supporting reports on noise, bats and green infrastructure have also been submitted as part of the planning package.

St Mary’s Square Developments, a Swansea-based company specialising in mixed-use and build-to-rent schemes, acquired the Castle Quays building in 2025. Work is already under way on the ground floor, where contractors are preparing the former Zara unit for a new occupier.

The former Zara store at Castle Quays on Princess Way is being prepared for a new tenant
(Image: St Mary’s Square Developments)

The Castle Quays application adds to a cluster of residential conversion schemes taking shape in the same part of the city centre.

The Welsh Government has committed millions of pounds in funding towards 29 one- and two-bedroom flats planned for the upper floors of the nearby building currently occupied at ground level by McDonald’s and Taco Bell — a scheme that has already secured planning permission.

Across the road, the old Castle Cinema building is already being converted into 30 flats alongside new commercial units.

Elsewhere in the immediate vicinity, flats have been created in upper floors on Oxford Street, and a major ‘biophilic living building‘ mixed-use development of up to 12 storeys is rising on the former Woolworths site on The Kingsway.

The Princess Way building sits at the heart of some of the most significant change currently under way in the city centre.

On one side it looks over Castle Square, which is in the middle of a multimillion-pound revamp designed to create a greener and more welcoming public space.

The leaf boat sculpture that was a fixture of the square for years was removed as that redevelopment moved ahead, with an artist commissioned to help mark the start of the transformation.

On its other aspect, Castle Quays faces the new Y Storfa building in the former BHS unit — a council-run hub housing a range of public services including the city’s central library.

The drive to bring residents back into Swansea city centre has been a consistent theme for local leaders for decades. The post-war bombing of Swansea and the subsequent rebuilding of the city on largely commercial lines left the centre without a significant residential population — something planners and business groups have long argued needs to change.

The potential loss of further anchor retailers has added urgency to that argument. Marks & Spencer’s Oxford Street store is due to close later this year, following the earlier departure of Debenhams — both significant blows for a high street that is already navigating a fundamental shift away from traditional retail.

Against that backdrop, the case for converting underused upper floors into homes has become harder to argue against.

Andrew Douglas, manager of business group Swansea BID, said a growing residential population was central to the city centre’s long-term health.

“The more people living in the city centre the more they will engage with and enjoy Swansea’s retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors,” he said. He added that residential growth also bolsters investor confidence, describing it as a signal that the city centre is a credible place to live, work and spend time.

As we’ve reported, the question of what shops and brands Swansea needs to attract — and what the future of its retail offer looks like — remains one of the biggest conversations in the city. Increasing the number of people living within walking distance of the shops, bars and restaurants is seen as a key part of making that offer sustainable.

The Castle Quays application is currently with Swansea Council for determination.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Scaffolding removal to start at Princess Way
The Castle Quays building on Princess Way has been undergoing work since St Mary’s Square Developments took it on in 2025.

FLATS FUNDING BOOST: Welsh Government to pour millions into city centre flats plan at McDonald’s site and Kingsway block
The neighbouring Princess Way conversion scheme has already secured Welsh Government backing — part of the same city centre living push.

New images reveal greener, more vibrant future for Swansea’s Castle Square
The square overlooked by the Castle Quays building is undergoing its own major transformation.

Leaf Boat sculpture removed from Castle Square as major redevelopment moves ahead
A landmark moment in the Castle Square revamp as the familiar sculpture made way for the new-look public space.

Artist helps celebrate green future of Castle Square as major revamp gets underway
The story of the transformation of the square beside the Castle Quays building.

The future of retail in Swansea: The shops you want, the brands we asked, and what comes next
The bigger picture on Swansea’s changing city centre — and why more residents could be the answer.

#AndrewDouglas #CastleQuays #construction #newApartments #PlanningPermission #PrincessWay #StMarySSquareDevelopments #Swansea #SwanseaBID #SwanseaCityCentre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#Opinion #Swansea #SwanseaWest #TorstenBellMP

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

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

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

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

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

That failure meant the abuse continued unchecked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adams was jailed for nine years and six months.

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

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

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

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

More Police and Crime stories

Latest crime and policing news from across Swansea Bay
Stay up to date with the biggest court cases, police investigations and breaking incidents affecting communities across the region.

#ChildAbuse #DyfedPowysPolice #historicAbuse #Swansea