A scheme to convert most of a landmark Swansea store into offices has been approved.
Council planning officers welcomed the proposal for the upper floors of the former BHS store, on the corner of Oxford Street and Princess Way.
It is hoped the project - costing up to £3.5 million - could create more than 600 jobs.
The building is home to Miss Selfridge and What! on the ground floor, and the only change on this level is a new entrance and reception area leading to offices above, meaning the two shops would remain in place.
There would then be first and second floor offices and, above them, a new rooftop extension including a terraced area and an orangery.
New external rendering will be added, and new first floor windows.
Councillor Erika Kirchner, whose Castle ward covers the city centre, said she was pleased the plans had been approved.
“I think it will complement the city centre’s mix of retail and offices,” she said.
The privately-owned building used to be home to retailer BHS, which went into administration in 2016. Homeware, furniture and party shop What! opened the following year.
In 2018, Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said European funding was being sought to help bring the office conversion about.
This is what Swansea city centre looked like at the weekend:
No-one has disclosed yet which firm, or firms, would move into the building.
The planning application form, on behalf of a company called Westminster Project Services, said 636 workers would be employed there.
No parking for staff or clients will be created, but there are several nearby bus stops and the High Street rail station is 10 minutes away on foot.
Referring to the hundreds of new jobs set out in the application, the planning officers’ report said: “This approach is welcomed to add additional footfall to this pedestrianised street to improve its vibrancy and potentially support the café and restaurant uses which have begun to establish themselves in this location.”
