City centre regeneration hailed by Swansea business leaders

Alan Brayley, Managing Director of AB Glass, and Natasha Fulford, Managing Director of MGB Communications, say the scale of redevelopment work is creating opportunities for local businesses, while generating a better city centre for local residents and visitors to the city.

Swansea Council is leading on several major regeneration schemes, including the £135m Copr Bay phase one district. The council is also leading on the £12 million transformation of The Kingsway into a greener, more pleasant environment, along with a £3m project to make Wind Street a more family-friendly destination.

Alan, who’s also President of the Swansea Bay Business Club, said: “I welcome all the regeneration work that’s continuing to take place in our city, thanks to a modern-thinking, dynamic council and their development partners.

“What’s especially encouraging are the opportunities for local businesses to benefit from these regeneration works through procurement, which is hugely important to the local economy.

“The scale of progress throughout the pandemic has been very impressive. The Copr Bay development is giving the city’s business community a real feel-good factor, while the Swansea Bay City Deal is a real game-changer for the region as a whole that’s boosted confidence.

“The regeneration plans are no longer just talk – they’re actually happening, and both the city and the wider city region are on the right track.

“I think the bridge linking the city centre with the Swansea Arena that’s under construction is fantastic – it’s modern and futuristic. The green spaces on The Kingsway are also starting to come alive, with the new layout and appearance having a continental feel about it.

“It’s also encouraging to see the amount of student accommodation being developed in the city centre, building on the strength of our world class universities and their new campuses on the waterfront. Not only does construction like this give supply chain opportunities to local businesses, but it also means more footfall in the city centre. This will then generate more spending in our existing businesses, while also encouraging more businesses like cafes and restaurants to open there in future.”

Natasha said: “As the co-owner of one of the longest-established communications agencies in Swansea, which sits at the heart of the on-going regeneration work, I have been impressed by the way the Copr Bay, The Kingsway and the Wind Street developments have taken shape.

“I have lived and worked in Swansea most of my life and I am proud to do so, but there has never been a more exciting time to be part of Swansea’s story. Like a number of home-grown businesses, MGB is committed to a long-term future in the heart of Swansea city centre and seeing it emerge as a newly-confident city, ready for more investment, instils confidence that this is the right decision for us as a company.”

Other forthcoming schemes in Swansea city centre include the construction of a high-tech new office development at 71/72 The Kingsway. Led by the council and being part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal, construction work will soon start on the scheme, which will provide space for 600 jobs.

The Copr Bay phase one district including Swansea Arena is being developed by Swansea Council and advised by development manager RivingtonHark.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) will operate the Swansea Arena, once it’s open.

Swansea Council is financing Copr Bay phase one, with some funding for the arena coming from the Swansea Bay City Deal. The landmark bridge forming part of the scheme is part-funded by the Welsh Government’s Active Travel fund.