Fighting For Our City Centre Event Details Positive Future for Swansea

The first of a series of online events went ahead this week to keep Swansea city centre businesses informed about the developments that are reshaping the area, attracting investors and future-proofing the region.

Swansea BID (Business Improvement District) teamed up with UWTSD (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) to present the Fighting For Our City Centre webinar to BID area businesses and other stakeholders, on Wednesday.

The speakers: The Leader of Swansea Council, Cllr Rob Stewart, Projects Director from RivingtonHark, Spencer Winter, Swansea BID Chief Executive, Russell Greenslade, and UWTSD Provost for Swansea and Cardiff, Prof Ian Walsh, focused on the very efficient progress of the £135m Copr Bay Phase One development, positioning Swansea as one of the most attractive prospects for investors at the moment and a UK-leader when it comes to post-pandemic recovery planning.

Russell Greenslade from Swansea BID said: “Clearly town and city centres have been dealing with very testing times over the past year and it is important that we all stay focused upon the very positive developments that are pressing ahead in Swansea city centre as we speak. The Copr Bay Development is taking shape and it is the most exciting chapter in a new story for Swansea, which will see it being reshaped to ensure it attracts ongoing investment and it offers a smart balance of retail, residential, hospitality and experiential that will attract and retain the kind of footfall our BID area businesses rely upon. I was pleased to see so many of our BID area businesses attend the event and to hear first-hand some of the fine detail of these very exciting developments and ongoing plans.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader said: Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “The biggest investment ever in our city is happening right now. You’ve only got to look at the building work already under way across the city centre – and there’s a lot more to come. Swansea’s investment programme is bigger than that of any other area of Wales.

Our £1bn regeneration programme will protect and create thousands of jobs and opportunities – and it’ll make our city a great place to work, live and enjoy.”

Prof Ian Walsh UWTSD Provost, Swansea and Cardiff said: “UWTSD is proud to be Swansea’s city centre university and a partner with the City Council and Swansea BID in the transformational changes taking place to enhance Swansea’s status as one of the UK’s premier waterfront cities and an attractive destination for students from across the world.”

Spencer Winter, Projects Director from RivingtonHark said: “Swansea city centre is one of the largest urban regeneration projects currently being delivered in the UK, with the Copr Bay Phase One district acting as a major catalyst for change across the city. As other cities across the UK are starting to consider how they mitigate the effects of the pandemic and other economic shifts, Swansea is already in the process of delivering this. It’s a pleasure to see the Copr Bay development – such as the eye-catching, state-of-the-art arena and the newly installed landmark bridge over Oystermouth Road – take shape. All those involved in the project should be immensely proud of the progress to date it and I hope the residents of Swansea will be too. With its exciting new leisure offer, enhanced public and green spaces, and its enviable position as a city surrounded by spectacular coastline and nature, Swansea can now realise its potential as one of the most exciting places in the UK to live, work, visit and study.”

The next Fighting For Our City Centre event, which is expected to be focused sharply upon Swansea city centre’s night time economy, will go ahead in early April.