A stunning new fly-through shows how Swansea’s new-look, family-friendly Wind Street will look once its £3m upgrade is finished.
Wind Street is the city’s best-known street and is a thriving base for daytime and nightlife businesses and communities.
It’s anticipated substantial completion of the £3m upgrade will be done by the end of November. When it’s finished it will be even more attractive, featuring new flower beds, street furniture and other additions to add colour and vitality.
It’ll also link to the soon-to-be upgraded Castle Square Gardens which will also boast more trees and more greenery to offer another family-friendly destination with performance spaces and other attractions.
The new-look Wind Street aims to give a lift to the café quarter of the city centre in the build-up to the nearby Swansea Arena preparing to welcome many thousands of visitors every week from early 2022.
The project has been welcomed by Wind Street businesses because it will encourage more visitors during the day, thanks to more spaces for outdoor dining that’s become such a familiar feature of hospitality venues since they opened after the pandemic.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “It won’t be long now until the Wind Street upgrade is completed. Businesses I’ve spoken to are delighted with the work that’s being done.
“They need a boost after what they’ve gone through over the last 18 months. On top of all the other support they’ve had from the council, the improvements will be great news for the long-term too.”
He added: “As well as the changes to Wind Street itself we’re also looking at making lanes and alleys connecting to Wind Street cleaner and safer spaces and there are plans in hand for rainbow street art and other cultural additions in the coming months.”
Bruno Nunes is Chief Executive of the Creative Hospitality Group. His company runs three businesses on Wind Street – Peppermint, Bambu and BrewDog – as well as BrewStone and Frango in the Uplands area of Swansea.
Bruno said: “I look forward to the completion of the Wind Street improvement scheme, and to continue to work closely with the council on further improvements that businesses may need in future in order to thrive and provide Wind Street visitors an hospitable experience to match the city’s ambitious plans for its future.
“The improvement scheme will help promote Wind Street as a place to eat, as well as drink. It will help further transform Wind Street into an all-day destination, while also not forgetting its uniqueness and significant importance to Swansea’s night-time economy.
“With people nowadays looking for a better, higher-quality experience over a volume-led experience, more and more businesses on Wind Street and elsewhere are responding to the needs of our customers.
“With continued support from the council, this will help further generate a sense of pride in Wind Street as the city’s dining quarter, while also attracting further quality investment in Wind Street and surrounding areas.”
Among other key features spotlighted in the fly-through are:
- More green space offering a friendly avenue leading to the new-look Castle Square Gardens, with work starting there in the near future
- A single-level along the whole street and other features to ensure accessibility for all
- Enhanced spaces for events and activities.
Wind Street will be a pedestrian-only area except for business servicing between 7am and 11 am, and emergency vehicles which will have access to the area when they need it.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “We want Wind Street to be a family-friendly, high-quality hospitality environment.
“Our reimagining of Wind Street is a key element in our £1bn transformation of the city centre. Copr Bay is already changing the skyline and bringing a real sense of anticipation for businesses. With Castle Square Gardens’ transformation coming soon, together it means that Swansea is leading the way as we plan for the post-pandemic Wales.”
