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Artist helps celebrate green future of Castle Square as major revamp gets underway

The council says the 15‑metre installation, created by Swansea artist Hasan Kamil and produced with local firm Oner Signs, has been installed on hoardings at the junction of Princess Way and Temple Street.

According to the authority, the digitally composed collage features bees, birds, butterflies and greenery to reflect the nature‑rich design planned for the revamped square.

Swansea Council is now referring to the site as Castle Square Gardens, saying the new name reflects the greening of the space. The square is currently known as Castle Square, but before its 1990s redesign it was historically known as Castle Gardens.

The artwork has gone up as contractor Knights Brown prepares to begin the main phase of construction. The council says detailed preparation work has already taken place behind the hoardings.

The new Castle Square Gardens artwork, featuring bees, birds, butterflies and greenery to reflect the future design of the square. (Pic: Swansea Council)

Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said the artwork showcases local talent and the ambition behind the wider regeneration programme.

“Hasan and Oner Signs are high‑quality local operators who recognise how important this location’s bright future is to local people. I thank them for their work and expertise,” he said.

“Our greener, more people‑friendly Castle Square Gardens will be a vital element in our ongoing £1bn regeneration programme for Swansea. It will be a modern, functional and well maintained public space that can accommodate a range of events and cultural experiences.”

The council says the new square will include two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail, one with an accessible green roof. Plans also include new lawns, biodiverse planting, a water feature for interactive play, a giant TV screen above a bandstand‑style space, and new seating, lighting and paving.

Castle Square in its current form, ahead of major redevelopment work to create the new Castle Square Gardens. (Pic: Swansea Council)How the new Castle Square Gardens is expected to look, with more greenery, new pavilions and upgraded public space. (Pic: Swansea Council)

Elliott King, cabinet member for culture, human rights and equalities, said the artwork helps improve the look of the city centre during construction.

“This excellent new public art transforms the visual impact of a construction site, brightens the streets and makes the city centre a more pleasant place to visit,” he said.

“It’s an engaging artwork that increases creativity in the public domain, demonstrates local artistic excellence and inspires positivity. We plan to install public art on other development site hoardings.”

Hasan, who grew up in Swansea and has previously produced work for Swansea City AFC, Swansea University and Olchfa School, said he was pleased to be involved.

“I’m delighted to contribute to the streetscape in a way that reflects the exciting, greener future of Castle Square Gardens,” he said.

Oner Signs, which has operated in Swansea for 30 years, said it was proud to support the project.

Ronny Oner, speaking on behalf of the business, said:

“It’s great to have been involved in this public art project that helps illustrate how our city centre is evolving – and how Swansea is full of creative talent.”

The council says the existing leaf‑boat sculpture has been removed for safe storage while discussions continue with the artist about a new location, with Cwmdonkin Park among the options.

Safety hoardings now surround the site, but the council says all surrounding streets, footways and businesses remain open. The authority also points to nearby private‑sector schemes, including new homes and commercial units in the former Castle Cinema and the McDonald’s building.

#Art #artist #CastleGardens #CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrElliottKing #CllrRobStewart #HasanKamil #OnerSigns #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Thousands flock to new city centre hub as Y Storfa officially opens

The former BHS department store on Oxford Street has been transformed into a buzzing community hub, bringing the city’s Central Library, housing services, archives and advice centres together under one roof.

Crowds pour in since doors opened

Y Storfa has been open since December 1 and has already welcomed thousands through its doors. Social media has been flooded with praise from locals.

Visitor Pat Baldrian said:

“I really like it. I’ll be a regular visitor – it’s so convenient whilst in town.”

Ronny Oner added:

“It was super busy when we popped in to have a gander.”

Library visitors engage with Swansea’s cultural collections at Y Storfa, now more accessible than ever.
(Image: Swansea Council)Council leader Rob Stewart, Minister Julie James and cabinet member Elliott King officially open Y Storfa, Swansea’s new city centre public services hub.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Ministers cut the ribbon

The hub was formally opened today (December 17) by Julie James MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, alongside Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart and cabinet member Elliott King.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“It’s fantastic that Y Storfa has enjoyed successful public and formal openings – and that so many people have already visited and given us great feedback. It’ll deliver essential services to people from across Swansea and will help drive new business to nearby traders. It’ll be even better when we complete our ongoing transformation of the neighbouring Castle Square which will soon be greener and more welcoming than ever.”

Bilingual plaque marks the official opening of Y Storfa in 2025, funded by the UK and Welsh Governments.
(Image: Swansea Council)Exhibition at Y Storfa traces the history of the site, from Victorian arcades to modern public services.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Services under one roof

Inside Y Storfa, visitors will find the city’s Central Library, a children’s library with sensory play, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options and Housing Support, plus bases for Careers Wales and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot. Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library has also moved in.

To mark the opening, an exhibition in the community event space highlights the building’s history and the changing face of the city centre.

Employment support on offer at Y Storfa through Communities for Work, helping residents find jobs and training.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Praise from partners

Jayne Bryant, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for housing and local government, said:

“With the opening of Y Storfa, we’re bringing essential services together under one roof – making support more accessible while creating a vibrant hub that strengthens Swansea’s community and boosts local businesses. I’m proud that our Welsh Government Transforming Town programme helped to fund this project, and I’m delighted that so many residents of all ages are already using this fantastic space.”

Caroline Newman, chief officer of Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, said:

“Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot are already settling in to Y Storfa. Access for clients is much easier and the surroundings warm, bright and welcoming. Having the right environment is far more conducive to helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Sian Williams, head of Cultural Collections at Swansea University, said:

“We are delighted that Y Storfa will be the new home of the South Wales Miners’ Library. Our new location will mean these remarkable collections — rich in stories of Wales and Swansea’s industrial and cultural heritage — are even more accessible. We look forward to collaborating with Swansea Council colleagues and the other Y Storfa tenants to engage new audiences, inspiring and informing future generations.”

Visitors explore digital resources at Y Storfa’s Central Library, now housed in the repurposed BHS building.
(Image: Swansea Council)

A new heartbeat for the city

With hundreds of nearby parking spaces and easy access to public transport, Y Storfa is set to become a central hub for Swansea life.

Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said:

“It has been fantastic to see Y Storfa buzzing with life since it opened. Delivering this vibrant space in the heart of Swansea city centre embodies our commitment to creating sustainable, community‑focused facilities that will benefit future generations for decades to come.”

The council says the hub will grow even further once the neighbouring Castle Square is transformed into a greener, more welcoming public space.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea city centre library opens at Y Storfa
The new Central Library opens its doors inside Y Storfa, offering books, digital access and sensory spaces.

New Swansea city centre hub Y Storfa opens its doors
Thousands visit Y Storfa in its first week as council services, archives and advice centres move in.

Castle Square transformation work set to start in January
Major works begin next month to create a greener, more welcoming public space next to Y Storfa.

#archives #BHS #CastleSquare #CentralLibrary #CitizensAdviceCymru #CllrRobStewart #CommunityHub #HousingOptions #KierConstruction #Library #OxfordStreet #PrincessWay #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaLibraries #SwanseaUniversityMinersLibrary #WestGlamorganArchiveService #YStorfa

Swansea Central Library prepares for move to Y Storfa

Swansea Council has confirmed that all library services at the Civic Centre will close on Monday, October 20, with the new Y Storfa facility due to open several weeks later. The exact opening date will be announced soon.

Around 60,000 books and other items are being carefully packed for the move, including 5,000 historic and modern maps, 3,500 microfilm reels, 4,000 picture books, 2,200 graphic novels, and accessible materials such as large‑print, audiobooks, dyslexia‑friendly titles and Braille.

Poster at Swansea Central Library informing visitors about the forthcoming move to Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)Artist’s impression of how Swansea Central Library will look inside Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)

New facilities at Y Storfa

The new Central Library will feature a glass‑fronted children’s library with thousands of books, a sensory wall, interactive games, and a retro gaming area for older children. Board games for families and adults will also be available.

Visitors will be able to access physical newspapers such as the South Wales Evening Post, bound archives, and hundreds of digital titles via the library’s Press Reader and Borrowbox services. Historic newspapers will also be available online through subscription resources and the National Library of Wales.

Temporary arrangements

Swansea’s 16 community libraries will remain open during the transition, although public PCs will be unavailable on October 22 and 23 due to maintenance. Borrowed items can be returned to branch libraries, and online services will remain available 24/7.

Part of city centre regeneration

Y Storfa is part of Swansea Council’s £1bn regeneration programme and will pave the way for the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site.

Cllr Elliott King, cabinet member for culture, Swansea Council, said: “Y Storfa will give residents a modern, welcoming Central Library at the heart of the city centre. It’s good to see that preparations for the move are well underway.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “Y Storfa will create a central hub where people can learn, access support and come together. It’ll create footfall for city centre businesses and will further boost Swansea’s regeneration.”

Artist’s impression of Y Storfa, opposite Swansea’s new-look Castle Square.(Image: Swansea Council)

More than a library

Alongside the Central Library, Y Storfa will also house the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options and Housing Services, the council’s contact centre, lifelong learning, and revenue and benefits teams.

Non‑council tenants will include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.

The project has been supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Housing services set to join Y Storfa community hub in city centre
Council confirms housing teams will relocate to the new hub alongside the library.

Fly-through video reveals first look at Swansea’s new Y Storfa community hub
A virtual tour shows how the landmark development will look once complete.

Swansea Central Library preparing for move to Y Storfa hub
Staff begin the process of packing thousands of items ahead of the relocation.

Y Storfa community hub takes shape in Swansea city centre
Construction progresses on the £1bn regeneration project opposite Castle Square.

#BHS #CastleSquare #CentralLibrary #CentralLibraryMove #CentralLibraryRelocation #CivicCentre #CllrElliottKing #CllrRobStewart #Library #Swansea #SwanseaCentralLibrary #SwanseaCouncil #YStorfa