Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Lucy John

The big changes happening in Swansea city centre while most of us have been staying home in lockdown

It's so long since many of us visited Swansea city centre - we've probably forgotten what it looks like

But while people have been at home during the coronavirus pandemic, there have been some big changes happening in the centre.

When you next venture there, to work or to shop, you might notice a new skyline emerging, as well as brightly painted venues and more greenery.

Here are some of the more noticeable developments that have been taking place in Swansea city centre during lockdown.

Swansea arena and car park

The arena is starting to take shape (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)
This multi-storey car park frame is on the former St Mary’s car park site (Swansea Council)

Huge steel frames are changing Swansea's skyline as frameworks continue to be put in place for the new indoor arena and nearby multi-storey car park.

The steel frames started going up on April 20 and are part of the council’s £135m Swansea Central phase one transformation scheme.

The scheme comprises the 3,500-capacity indoor arena, and an adjacent coastal park. These developments will sit above a large car park.

As with all its building work during lockdown, Swansea Council said  "innovative ways" were being used to comply with coronavirus guidelines.

Trees planted along the Kingsway

More than 170 trees are being planted as part of the Kingsway regeneration scheme

It's the city centre's biggest ever tree planting scheme which aims to give an "urban park" feel to the area.

The trees are being planted along The Kingsway, Alexandra Road, Belle Vue Way, Christina Street, Cradock Street, De-La Beche Street, Grove Place, Mansel Street and Orchard Street.

The new trees stand up to 10m tall near existing trees. New varieties include alder, birch, cherry, lime, maples, flowering pears, snowy mespilus, katsura and Persian ironwood.

(WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)
(WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)

Mark Thomas, the council's cabinet member for environment and infrastructure management, said: "The total number of trees in the Kingsway area - more than 220 - is more than double the number previously there, and is boosting biodiversity alongside large areas of grass and scores of new shrubs and plants.

"The improvements will help bring people and business to an area that's so important to our local economy."

Mariner Street student accommodation

Mariner Street student accommodation under construction (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)
The new building will be a major addition to the area near Swansea train station (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)

Solid progress has been made on the development of the 17-storey student accommodation in Mariner Street, near High Street.

It now towers above the railway station and might be the first major change commuters notice when more people are able to travel into the city centre.

Council leader Rob Stewart hopes the £65m privately-funded student development will help bring new businesses to the city centre.

The Bunkhouse music venue

The Bunkhouse music venue in The Kingsway (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)
The view from the other side (The Bunkhouse)

The Bunkhouse music venue just off The Kingsway in Park Street has had a bit of a makeover.

You might remember it as being entirely black and yellow. Though it did stand out then, it's now more eye catching than ever.

The new exterior was painted by Swansea's Fresh Creative Co, which is responsible for many other painted buildings and murals throughout Swansea.

Owners Jordan McGuire and Keiran Ivett said they wanted to make sure the artwork included their love of Swansea and live music.

The Bunkhouse in Swansea before its makeover (Media Wales John Myers)

Mr McGuire said: "I wanted something that could make us stand out, but not just any old thing. We wanted to incorporate live music and our love for the city and bay region.

"We are proud of the city and wanted to show just that and make us stand out in and out of the town centre which is in the process of a massive transformation.

"I had seen Fresh Creative Co's work in places and knew they would be the guys to help us do just that and make us stand out."

The floor has been freshened up

Swansea's street cleansing team, funded by Swansea Business Improvement District, have been busy cleaning the paving stones across the city centre.

Rather than a dull grey, the floor is now a much more pleasant sandy colour.

On social media, Swansea Business Improvement District wrote: "Now you see it, now you don't! Our City Centre cleansing teams are hard at work this week to make sure the place looks as welcoming as possible for our businesses and visitors, who are looking forward to returning to Swansea."

St David’s site, Morfa Road

Student accommodation taking shape in New Cut Road (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)

This 245-bed building is the final phase of the St David’s student accommodation complex.

The St David's development, between New Cut Road, Pottery Street and Morfa Road, has a gym and courtyard.

Progress on the final phase of the development has continued throughout lockdown and is due to be finished this year.

Once fully occupied, 967 students will live in the St David's development.

Kingsway Infrastructure Project

A small number of work crews restarted work on The Kingsway Infrastructure Project last month.

Contractors working on behalf of Swansea Council began a phased return to work on May 18.

Roadworks in New Orchard Street (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)
And there's work taking place in Grove Place as well (WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)

The roads throughout the area are due to be turned into a two-way system, but there is currently no definite time-frame on this because of the pandemic.

The existing one-way system will instead continue until supply chains, personnel matters and safety measures allow the planned switch to two-way traffic to go ahead. Once that goes ahead, the scheme will be practically complete.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.