Derelict buildings are being brought back to life, business premises have been improved and people have been helped to find work, thanks to a multi-million pound investment across Swansea over the last year or so.
Swansea Council has approved hundreds of projects across the city and county that are being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This includes work that’s taken place to restore the Swiss Cottage in Singleton Park.
Some timbers have been replaced, sanding work has been carried out and the building has been repainted to help restore it back to its heyday.
The funding is also enabling a feasibility study that’s exploring alongside a specialist architect and consultancy team how the building can be brought back to use in future, while maintaining its heritage.
Swansea Council’s Pathways to Work scheme is also funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supporting people aged 16 and over who are out of work.
Among the many people who have been supported is Kabir Balogun, who now works as an assistant project manager at the city centre’s living building scheme being led by Hacer Developments.
Disused parts of a building in Pontarddulais have also been brought back to life.
The ground floor of 82-84 St Teilo Street had been vacant for around four years until the building was bought and then transformed by Swansea-based company Our Health Pharma Investments.
Its new use – as community wellbeing centre Hyb SA4 – will help regenerate the area, bring local jobs and keep thousands of local residents fit and healthy.
Funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund has also been awarded to Elysium Gallery and Studios to help with their plans to bring the city centre’s former JT Morgan building back into use.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “We’re determined to ensure as many Swansea people and businesses as possible benefit from our allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund through the UK Government.
“This is why funding has been awarded to hundreds of projects across Swansea as we look to ensure support is in place for schemes in all our communities.
“From bringing empty buildings back to life and providing funding support to many Swansea businesses, these projects are making a real difference.
“Initiatives of all shapes and sizes are benefiting as part of this major investment.”
Other schemes awarded funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund include work that’s begun at Graiglwyd Square in Townhill to transform a roundabout by planting more trees, plants and a rock garden. This scheme has also received funding via the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature programme.
Funding has also been made available to dozens of high street businesses including pre-start grants, website development grants, growth grants and carbon reduction grants.
Among the businesses benefiting from growth grants are Grandad Needs His Medicine – a sandwich shop based on Oxford Street; XP Gaming Bar on Castle Street; the No 18 Vegan Café Bar on Brynymor Road; the Brew and Bloom Café at the Forge Fach Community Centre in Clydach, and the Malu Coffee and Espresso Bar on Woodfield Street in Morriston.
Free sailings aboard the Copper Jack vessel along the River Tawe were also organised for people aged over 50, thanks to funding support through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Run by the Swansea Community Boat Trust, the free trips formed part of the council’s ageing well initiative.
