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#centrallibraryrelocation — Public Fediverse posts

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  1. Opening date confirmed for Swansea’s new Y Storfa hub

    According to Swansea Council, the transformation of the former BHS building at the junction of Oxford Street and Princess Way is a key part of its £1bn regeneration programme. The authority says the project is designed to revitalise the city centre and bring services together under one roof.

    “Firm opening date before Christmas”

    Council Leader Rob Stewart said the opening was a major milestone:

    “It’s fantastic that we now have a firm opening date for Y Storfa – and that it’ll be before Christmas. It’ll be a great new facility that’ll help make the city centre an even better place to visit. The great public interest in Y Storfa will mean added footfall for nearby traders as the festive season develops. It’ll be a place where people can come together – to learn, access important services, or take part in community life in a modern and welcoming space.”

    Services under one roof

    Swansea Council says that when Y Storfa opens, visitors will be able to access the city’s Central Library, which the authority notes will include dedicated areas for children and families. The council also states that the building will house its Housing Options and Housing Support teams, alongside the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

    According to the council, Y Storfa will not just feature council services. Careers Wales and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot have confirmed they will have permanent bases in the hub, while Swansea University has said its South Wales Miners’ Library is among the organisations preparing to move in over the coming weeks. The council describes these combined services as making Y Storfa a one‑stop destination for learning, advice, and community support.

    Wider regeneration

    Swansea Council says the opening of Y Storfa is part of a much broader transformation of the city centre. The authority points to work underway next door at Castle Square, which it describes as being redeveloped into a greener, more welcoming public space. Council leaders also highlight other recent projects they have driven, including the creation of the Swansea Building Society Arena, the redesign of The Kingsway and Wind Street, new office space at 71/72 Kingsway, and the restoration of the historic Palace Theatre.

    According to the council, private developers are also investing heavily in the area. Projects cited include the Biophilic Living Building on Oxford Street, the Princess Quarter development, and the revival of the Albert Hall, which the authority says are adding to the momentum of regeneration in the city centre.

    Backed by Welsh Government

    Funding for Y Storfa has come from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, with construction led by The Kier Group.

    The council says the hub will provide a modern, welcoming environment for residents and visitors, while boosting footfall for city centre traders in the run‑up to Christmas and beyond.

    #bhs #castleSquareRedevelopment #centralLibrary #centralLibraryMove #centralLibraryRelocation #centralLibrarySwansea #kierGroup #oxfordStreet #princessWay #swansea #swanseaCentralLibrary #swanseaCouncil #swanseaRegeneration #yStorfa #yStorfaSwansea

  2. 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