Latest news with #SwanseaBayCityDeal
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
South Wales Small Business Conference set to return in 2025
The South Wales Small Business Conference, organised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), will take place at Stadium on Wednesday, September 3. Rob Basini, development manager for FSB in South Wales, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have finalised this year's conference, with such a brilliant lineup of speakers. "Over the past few years, we've had positive feedback on our conferences and we are sure that this year's event will again provide benefit to businesses attending. "I strongly recommend that people book quickly – already spaces are being snapped up." The event is free to attend thanks to sponsorship from the Welsh Government, the Ministry of Defence, and the Swansea Bay City Deal, and is aimed at small businesses across all sectors. The conference will feature sessions on business fundamentals, customer experience, website optimisation, artificial intelligence, and sales growth. Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
Business News Wales
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Offshore Renewables Supply Chain Programme To Launch in South Wales
A dedicated regional programme aimed at supporting the floating offshore wind supply chain is set to launch in South-West Wales. The regional programme will run for up to 18 months and will be delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult's Fit For Offshore Renewables programme (F4OR). F4OR supports the development of an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain. It is focused on helping UK supply chain companies gain the tools needed to succeed in the offshore renewable energy sector. The Crown Estate will provide ORE Catapult with £100,000 in funding to work with businesses in the Swansea Bay City Region, supporting their growth and entry into the floating offshore wind supply chain. This financial contribution will be matched by the Swansea Bay City Deal, which is co-funded by the Welsh and UK Governments, and launched a previous F4OR scheme in the region. From the end of July, Expressions of Interest in the new scheme can be submitted by businesses through the ORE Catapult website and successful businesses will be judged against a set of relevant criteria, including their commitment to expanding their footprint in the floating offshore wind supply chain and alignment with the ambitions set out in the Celtic Sea Blueprint. The programme was announced during an event hosted by The Crown Estate in the Senedd in Cardiff, where Members joined local authorities, industry partners, community groups and skills organisations to showcase the collaborative working taking place on its projects and activities across Wales. The Crown Estate's Chief Executive Dan Labbad attended alongside Senedd Members, where the organisation presented its Wales Review to outline positive impact and future opportunities from its activities across the country. The funding for this scheme is in addition to The Crown Estate's recently announced proposal to invest up to £400 million of capital into the UK's offshore wind supply chain. Some of this funding is already being deployed in Wales through its £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator, supporting organisations including Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges, Pembrokeshire College and Marine Power Systems Ltd. Rebecca Williams, Director, Devolved Nations at The Crown Estate, said: 'Having the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the individuals and collaboration involved in The Crown Estate's work across Wales in the Senedd was fantastic, and we're grateful to the Members who supported our event. It's inspiring to bring together so many valued partners who are helping us to serve communities and businesses across Wales, now and into the future. 'SMEs are a core driver of Wales's economy. The F4OR scheme with ORE Catapult will help businesses in South Wales take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the development of a new floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea. Through a thriving supply chain, we can create jobs, skills and play an important role in the clean energy transition.' Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver lasting economic and social value for Wales. 'Working in partnership with the Crown Estate and others, we are determined to ensure Wales is in the best possible position to reap the rewards from the renewable energy revolution. 'This important programme will support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry. This will help improve the awareness of Welsh firms about what is required to do business in the offshore wind sector.' Andy Macdonald, Director – Development & Operations, ORE Catapult, said: 'South Wales has an enviable reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence, coupled with huge potential to support the growth and expansion of floating offshore wind. The Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) supply chain programme provides an ideal route for companies with the right combination of key skills, expertise and leadership to make the transition to the renewable energy sector. 'As we see the Celtic Sea becoming an increasingly important location for floating wind development, the opportunity for local innovative companies to tap into the huge economic potential is clear, and this support is specifically designed to help those companies turn potential into reality.' This announcement follows the news in June that Equinor and Gwynt Glas – a joint venture between EDF Renewables UK and ESB – had been selected as preferred bidders to take forward two new floating wind farms as part of The Crown Estate's Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 in the Celtic Sea. Launched at the start of 2024, a core focus of Round 5 has been to open up a new region of the UK for the generation of more secure, clean energy, while kick-starting the development of a new industry and supply chain around the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate's Celtic Sea Blueprint published last year showed that Round 5 could support the creation of 5,300 new jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the UK economy.
Business News Wales
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Business Leaders Welcome New City Centre Office Scheme in Swansea
Two Swansea business leaders have given the thumbs-up to a new office development which has recently been officially opened in the city centre. Adam Gibbons and Carwyn Davies say the 71/72 Kingsway scheme will complement others to create more city centre footfall and spending while also meeting the need for more high-quality office accommodation in Swansea. Three tenants have already been named for the development – financial company Futures First, flexible workspace provider IWG, and travel and leisure company TUI. Tenant fitouts will now take place at the development ahead of staff moving in. Developed by Swansea Council, the 104,000 square foot scheme is being part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal and the Welsh Government through its Transforming Towns programme. Set to accommodate up to 600 jobs, the development is estimated to be worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea's economy. It is anticipated the scheme will be 100% let in the coming months as advanced discussions continue for all its remaining space. Adam Gibbons, Estates Manager at Centurion, owners of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: 'The shift to online shopping means it's now harder than ever for retailers to attract the kind of numbers they need in-store to thrive, so schemes like this that create more city centre footfall and spending are to be welcomed. 'As well as helping support our existing businesses, the extra footfall means there's more chance of attracting other shops and businesses to Swansea city centre in future to help boost the offer that's already here.' Carwyn Davies is the Managing Director of Hacer Developments – the company which is constructing the new 'living building' development close to the 71/72 Kingsway scheme. Made up of the former Woolworths unit and a new 12-storey tower, the scheme – once complete later this year – will include an educational facility, residential apartments, shops, offices, and a courtyard. It will also include living walls and roofs, along with rooftop solar panels, battery storage and gardens. Carwyn said: 'The combination of our scheme with 71/72 Kingsway and other developments either complete, ongoing or planned for Swansea shows the public and private sectors are working more closely together than ever before with a shared goal of making the city centre more vibrant. 'This will lead to thousands more people living and working in the city centre, helping to create employment, protect jobs, support business, attract new investment and position Swansea as a leading city for innovation. 'Having quality office space also gives businesses the facilities they need to further invest in Swansea and grow.' The 71/72 Kingsway scheme also includes an event hall and spaces for food and beverage businesses. A green rooftop terrace with views over Swansea Bay also features, along with solar panels on top of the building and heat recovery systems to minimise energy use.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The transformation of Swansea over the years and a look at what is still to come
The transformation of Swansea over the years and a look at what is still to come We've compiled a list of developments across Swansea that have already been delivered, and what comes next Swansea will look very different in the future, and some of it has already begun to take shape (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The figure £1bn is one that has found its place in news, in the council, on the roads, and several promises by the Swansea Council Leader, Rob Stewart. But what is it actually about? According to the Swansea Council this is the total amount of money that is being invested in the city as the part of a massive 'regeneration' drive by the local authority aimed to transform it. Over the years, we have seen several projects by Swansea Council that have already begun to reshape Swansea into something different. Some of this sum has already been spent and though there have been some delays in some projects, there are several that have already been completed and several more currently being undertaken. So where is this money being spent, and who is funding it? We asked Swansea Council exactly this, and have compiled a list of key projects that have been completed, and others that are currently ongoing. Although this is not an exhaustive list, and does not cover some of the projects still being planned, we hope it paints a picture of what has changed in Swansea over the years and what is still to come. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Copr Bay district The Swansea Arena was opened with full pomp and show in 2022 (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below The Swansea Arena was built as part of the £135m Copr Bay District project, and opened in March 2022 after five long years of hard work. The arena was built by the Swansea Council and forms part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project which is partly funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal. The Copr Bay District project gave birth to adjacent coastal park, car park below, the golden pedestrian bridge across Oystermouth Road, and flats and commercial units opposite. The £135m cost of the project necessitated £96m of council borrowing that was done a low interest rate. This is supposed to be paid back over the course of 40 years, with total borrowing costs amounting to just under £175m. For the project, part of the funding is also coming from the sale of the flats, a Welsh Government loan, and a contribution via the city deal for the Swansea Bay City Region. Since its opening in 2022, the Swansea Arena has attracted more than 750,000 visitors to events like graduations, conferences and creative learning events. It has also attracted major stars like Johnny Depp, and Alice Cooper with The Hollywood Vampires, Gladys Knight and Michael McIntyre. The unfinished multi-storey car park remains a blot on the project (Image: Richard Youle ) Now, the not so good part. Though a major part of the Copr Bay District project has been built, the multi storey car park for the Swansea Arena that was supposed to open close around the same time as the arena, has not opened for years. Initially, the Buckingham Group was selected as the contractor for the project. However, the car park's completion was already being delayed due to problems with the paintwork coating system , and this was further complicated when the Buckingham Group went into administration . Though there is hope. With a new firm being appointed to complete the car park in 2024, the council has recently said that it expects the work to be completed by the end of this year. The Palace theatre building Though it doesn't look much different from the outside, the interior has been completely transformed (Image: Richard Youle ) The rejuvenation of the Palace Theatre, a Grade II listed building located on the Prince of Wales Road in Swansea was one of the flagship projects in the £1bn regeneration program for Swansea. The regeneration project was led and funded by the Swansea council with an investment of over £6.9m from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns initiative. The palace was left to its fate until Swansea Council acquired it and began its extensive transformation process. The improved exterior does not look much different, as it stays true to its original 1888 roots. However, its interior, which spans over six floors and a basement, has now been revamped. While the council is still the owner of the building, it is now operated by Tramshed Tech which offers flexible work space, business growth programmes, and skills and training for the creative, digital and technology sectors. Restoration of Albert Hall The restored Albert Hall was opened in September last year (Image: Richard Youle ) In September last year, another Grade II listed, the Albert Hall located between The Kingsway and De-La-Beche Street was opened after an extensive restoration project. The hall was originally opened as a public assembly hall and concert venue in 1864. After it closed its doors in 2007 as a cinema and bingo hall — its future looked pretty bleak, not much different than the Palace Theatre before its restoration. Then came the company, LoftCo who not only secured a planning permission from the city council, but also a £5.6m Welsh Government grant, so it could buy and restore the site. In total, the project is expected to have cost close to £9m. The current layout can house 450 people on its ground floor and an additional 100 people on its private entertainment areas above it. The venue boasts of four storeys with a ground-floor food hall and bar, with private entertainment space, offices, studios, visitor accommodation, a gym, and a rooftop garden above. The Princess Quarter The glass fronted building is hard to miss (Image: Gareth Danks Photography ) Kartay has recently completed the construction of a a multi-million pound office and commercial project called Princess Quarter, on Princess Way at the site of the former Mamma Mia restaurant. The building is a three storey glass fronted monument that boasts of a 15,000 square feet of office space and offers adaptable retail units on the ground floor. It features a ground-floor reception which has 'luxury communal seating' , alongside concierge service, shower, changing facilities, vanity areas, and secure cycle storage to the rear. Kartay is a development, investment and asset management company, that was set up in 2019. It has since purchased nine 'key buildings" in Swansea's main redevelopment zones. Apart from the Princess Quarter project, the company is also leading the development of Princess House, which is a 10-storey office building in city centre at 1 Oxford Street, a five-storey commercial building that is currently home to McDonalds. It also plans to offer high quality apartments on the upper floors, and retail units at 256 to 260 Oxford Street. Regeneration of Wind Street The changes made in the city are part of a regeneration scheme worth over £1bn (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The Swansea Council has led a £3m project to improve the city's iconic Wind Street. This included new paving, seating, seating, greenery, and dedicated outdoor spaces for the hospitality dining areas. The Amy Dillwyn Park This was the first park in the city centre over several generations, and features a one of the largest green roofs in Wales. Developed by Swansea Council, it was renamed after the Victorian novelist and philanthropist, Amy Dillwyn in March 2024 to mark the International Women's Day. Upgrade to Kingsway to improve its look and feel A sum of £12m was put in by the Swansea Council to improve the 'look and feel' for the city's Kingsway, and its neighbouring streets. The council has expected that the new improvements will bring footfall to encourage new business while supporting existing traders. Council leader Rob Stewart has said that the local authority aims to turn Swansea into one of UK's greenest cities and that this project reflects the council's commitment to do so. Bollards along the Mumbles promenade More than 300 'energy efficient LED lighting bollards' have been installed along the length of the bay. The route is popular among walkers and cyclists who use it frequently in the evenings. Coming through an £400,000 Swansea Council investment, the low-level bollards have been installed every 14 metres along the length of the promenade and are expected to cost just £15 per year to light up. The Innovation Matrix Based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) SA1 campus, this project is now open, and offers 'opportunities for established businesses and dynamic start-ups to accelerate new product development, access specialist technical support, hire graduate talent and create knowledge exchange partnerships with the university.' The centre is funded through a partnership between the UWTSD and the Swansea Bay City deal. It was built by Kier Construction which has secured £6m worth of contracts with Wales-based businesses during the construction process. Following are some of the ongoing projects in Swansea: 71/72 Kingsway Scheme The posh new office development already has two tenants (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) The council bought the former Oceana building which was located at 71/72 Kingsway in 2015. This purchase was meant to deliver the employment hub proposal that were put forth in Swansea Central Area Regeneration Framework (SCARF). The project was submitted as a part of the wider Digital Programme to Swansea Bay City Deal, and was successful in obtaining £13.71m in City Deal Funding. The revamped building has now been handed over to Swansea Council, and is set to open this summer. First tenants have already been announced for building, with Travel company TUI and workspace provider IWG Ltd set to occupy just over a quarter of the building. The Biophillic Building The building is slated to be constructed later this year (Image: Hacer Developments ) This project aims to give birth to a 13-storey-high building between the city's The Kingsway and Oxford Street. The construction of the tower is being led by the Swansea-based firm, Hacer Devopments. To be powered by solar energy and said to use a 'air source heat system', the building is touted to use five times less energy than a building which is powered by gas boilers. The funding for this scheme is coming from a mixture of private sector funding with money from Welsh Government's Innovative Housing Programme, Pobl and the Development Bank of Wales footing part of the bill. It will include an urban-style greenhouse set over four floors, an education facility featuring an aquaponic system, rooftop gardens, wildflower borders and green spaces, nine floors of apartments to be managed by Pobl, close to 32,000 square feet of commercial floor space for businesses, retail spaces, a landscaped courtyard, and a bio-solar roof with ambient loop heating, and sustainable drainage systems. Swansea Council has said that this building will have the capacity to accommodate more than 500 people once complete, and expects the development to create jobs and home. The project is due to be completed later this year, and latest pictures show the mammoth tower to have spectacular views at the top. Y Storfa community services hub Progress continues to be made at the new community hub (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) This project will be built on the former BHS units on Oxford Street, and aims to provide a multi-purpose hub for the people of Swansea. The Welsh government provided a £2m grant towards the project and an additional £3.5m was also made available to Swansea Council to develop this project into a public focal point. Though the council had hoped that the project could be completed as soon as 2023, the scheme is due for completion this year. Council-run services like Swansea Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options, lifelong learning, and the Contact Centre will calling the new community hub their home. Non-council tenants are set to include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice and Swansea University's South Wales Miners' Library. Redevelopment of the former JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way The project is being given funding support by the Welsh Government (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Under the initiative led by Elysium Gallery, the vacant JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way - which has been unoccupied since 2008 - is set to become a hub for 53 creative entrepreneurs. The space will provide studios for painters, illustrators, sculptors, designers, printmakers, photographers, actors and video editors. The project will also feature a gallery, a function suite, a dedicated education centre and a quiet room. Funding coming from the Swansea Council via the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund is contributing towards the internal works and strip out, as well as enhancements to the roof structure. The project has also received financial support from the Welsh Government through its Transforming Towns scheme. Additional funding has been secured from the Arts Council of Wales, the Architectural Heritage Fund and a community shares initiative. The first phase of work is anticipated to be completed this summer. Restoration of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks How the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses could look like in the future (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Swansea Council has approved the plans restore two engine houses at the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site. The project would see a new mezzanine and first floor being built at the Vivian engine house which is expected to be by occupied by tenants. The Musgrave engine house, which is next to Vivian engine house, will be turned into a exhibition area that will display the original engine. Additionally, a new building joining both the engine houses will also be built. The council, and the people behind the planning application say the new buildings will be available for a number uses like restaurants, cafe, exhibition space and retail. The funding for this project is being done through a mixture of Swansea Council funding, and Welsh Government funding via the levelling-up scheme. The council has successfully bid for £20m of UK Government funding for this project. Restoration of Castle Cinema How the Castle Square development could look like (Image: Swansea Council ) Council says work to restore the city's historic Castle Cinema building is going to start soon. The project is being spearheaded by local non-profit Beacon Cymru and contractors Easy Living Ltd. Plans for the project includes 30 new flats and fresh commercial spaces. The commercial units will occupy the lower part of the building facing the Strand, designed to house small-scale office operations. A two-storey commercial unit is planned on the main elevation overlooking Worcester Place and the castle, intended for café or restaurant use. A proposed glazed box, forming part of this unit, will offer views of the castle and open space. The project is being supported by the Swansea Council, via Welsh Government funding. The Castle Square revamp Work has now started on the council's plan to transform the Castle Square in Swansea. The transformation will see the addition of two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses; an increase in greenery including new lawns, ornamental and biodiverse planting to provide an area with 40% green space. A new interactive water feature will also be included, along with new outdoor seating areas and a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility. Preparatory work has already been undertaken at the site, including the re-laying of high-voltage cables to accommodate the square's future design, a project that has seen significant public engagement. The Leaf Boat sculpture, a distinguishing sight the Castle Square is also being removed in the next phase of the project. This piece will be safely stored while the council, in consultation with various parties including the sculptor, determines a new location for the artwork within Swansea. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, is being funded by Swansea Council with support from the Welsh Government. The Mumbles Coastal Defence Project It is due for completion this summer (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) This ambitious, multi-million pound project aims to replace the existing worn down seawall which was atleast over a hundred years old and had been showing cracks from years of wear and tear. This expansive civil engineering project is being undertaken with the objective of protecting businesses, organisations, attractions, events, and several homes against rising sea levels caused by climate change. The Welsh Government's claim is that the new seawall will protect the Mumbles coast for the next 100 years. The £26.5m project is primarily funded by the Welsh Government, managed by Swansea Council, and is being delivered by Knights Brown as the main contractor. However, Swansea Council is footing the bill for nearly 15% of the project, with the Welsh government also providing the local authority with the development costs associated with this scheme, amounting to £1.9m. It began in early 2023 and nearly 110 workers from Knights Brown have been working tirelessly on the project since. It is expected to be completed by summer this year. Digital infrastructure project In an effort to alleviate network congestion, small cell sites have been deployed to enhance network capacity as required, with the objective that people will be able to use their mobiles for calls, messaging or internet access during peak times in the city centre, such as during the Christmas parade and the Wales Airshow. This initiative, a collaboration between Swansea Council, Freshwave, and Virgin Media O2, is part of a larger regional digital infrastructure project costing £55m, which is partly being funded by the Swansea Bay City deal. Council says that the project has been spearheaded by the its digital champions, who have worked in close coordination with Freshwave, Virgin Media O2, and other council departments to minimise disruption for businesses and visitors to the city centre during the implementation phase. Article continues below Other Developments Student accommodation projects, such as the £22m Coppergate scheme on The Kingsway and the £65m Seren scheme on Mariner Street. A new market garden is in the works, courtesy of a £500,000 council investment in the market that will also enhance its entrances. An £11.4m placemaking grants investment is set to create new homes and boost commercial premises in the city centre. This funding comprises private contributions and £7m from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns scheme.
Pembrokeshire Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Gigabit-capable broadband coverage continues to rise in Pembrokeshire
THE ROLLOUT of gigabit-capable broadband in Pembrokeshire is progressing at an impressive pace, supported by the Swansea Bay City Deal's Digital Infrastructure Programme. Recent data highlights significant year-on-year growth in broadband coverage, reflecting the success of this initiative and its role in enhancing digital connectivity across the region. Coverage in the county has grown substantially. At the end of March 2021, only 7.6% of Pembrokeshire residents and businesses had access to gigabit-capable broadband. By the end of March 2024, this figure had reached 48.2%, and as of March 2025, it has risen again to 65.1%, demonstrating the program's momentum (Source: ThinkBroadband). The rollout has been bolstered by successful projects funded through the UK government's Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, ensuring that residents and businesses in more remote areas can access high-speed internet. Key to the success of the rollout in Pembrokeshire has been the collaboration of two Digital Champions, who have worked closely with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC). These partnerships have been instrumental in scheduling civil engineering works around the county's bustling tourist economy and existing infrastructure projects, reducing disruption to residents and businesses. Additionally, a wide range of suppliers are actively contributing to the project. Companies like Openreach, Ogi, Voneus, and the local business Dragon WiFi have all played vital roles in expanding broadband access across the county. To further boost coverage, Openreach is delivering a £289 million contract as part of the UK government's Project Gigabit. This initiative will connect around 131,000 homes and businesses in some of the most remote areas of South Wales to reliable, high-speed broadband. The benefits of this expanded connectivity are significant, from better access to online services and improved opportunities for remote work and education, to supporting Pembrokeshire's growing local economy. Cllr Paul Miller commented, 'The progress we're seeing is a result of strong teamwork between the council, our partners, and the local community. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Pembrokeshire benefits from fast, reliable internet access.' Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee, said: 'Year-on-year increases in gigabit-capable broadband coverage in Pembrokeshire are a tremendous achievement. This collaboration plays a crucial role in boosting the local economy, opening up opportunities, and ensuring that everyone, whether they live, work, or visit here, can benefit from better connectivity.'
