Swansea Council is holding early discussions with alternative contractors following news that the original main contractor for the Copr Bay scheme – Buckingham Group – has gone into administration.
The Copr Bay scheme stretches from close to the former St David’s Shopping Centre site to the area of the marina.
The majority of the scheme has been complete and open since spring last year, so it’s business as usual at Swansea Arena, the Copr Bay south car park, the coastal park, the Green Room Bar and Kitchen, and the residential unit on the north side of Oystermouth Road.
Unfinished work includes the car park on the north side of Oystermouth Road and some other snagging works on site.
The north side car park site has now been made secure and handed over to the administrators. Swansea Council has put insurance, scaffolding, emergency lighting and security arrangements in place there.
A Swansea Council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Buckingham Group staff during this difficult time but we’ve also done all we can to protect the council’s position.
“In the short-term this includes the introduction of emergency lighting, security and other measures at the car park on the city centre side of Oystermouth Road.
“Looking ahead to completing the scheme, we’re already liaising with the administrators on when the car park site can be handed over to the council.
“We’re also in early discussions with alternative contactors as we look to make an appointment and ensure the unfinished works can be completed as soon as possible.
“Financial arrangements we have in place mean we don’t anticipate Buckingham’s situation leading to extra costs for the council.
“Swansea Arena is completely unaffected by this situation, so it’s business as usual there as well as at other elements of the Copr Bay scheme which have been completed.”
