#cllrrobstewart — Public Fediverse posts

NEXT STEP FOR CITY CENTRE: Work begins at former St David’s site for major new office development

The scheme is expected to bring hundreds of workers back into the heart of the city, providing a significant boost in footfall and spending for local businesses. The Council claims the development will follow the success of other recent projects, such as 71/72 Kingsway and the Y Storfa community hub, which are already delivering increased activity to the area.

‘More than Bricks and Mortar’

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, hailed the move as a vital part of the city’s long-term regeneration. He argued that the development is about more than just construction; it is about creating the economic conditions for the city to thrive.

“This is another major step forward in our long-term plan to regenerate Swansea city centre and create the conditions for more jobs, more investment and more opportunities for local businesses,” said Cllr Stewart.

“Developments like this are about far more than bricks and mortar. By bringing hundreds of workers into the city centre every day, we’re increasing footfall and spending power for our existing traders. That in turn helps create the confidence and demand needed to attract new shops, cafés and other businesses.”

Addressing High Street Challenges

The Council Leader acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing traditional high streets, particularly from the rise of online shopping. He stated that the “reality” is that businesses will only invest in Swansea if the footfall figures justify it.

Cllr Stewart added:

“The reality is that shops and other businesses will only choose to open in Swansea if the city centre footfall figures show it’s worth their investment. Schemes like this directly strengthen that case and help ensure our city centre has a strong and sustainable future.”

Essential Site Investigations

The site investigation works currently under way are described by the Council as a “routine and essential part” of major construction projects. These works will inform the detailed design and ensure the site is fully prepared before the main build works begin.

The Council believes that by bringing hundreds of new workers into the city centre daily, the local authority will see a measurable increase in spending at nearby shops, cafes, and services, ensuring the city heart remains resilient and thriving.

Ospreys legends unite to demand WRU rethink over club’s future

The move comes amid growing fears that the Ospreys could be cut from the top tier after the Welsh Rugby Union named Y11 Sport & Media — the club’s current owners — as the preferred buyer for rivals Cardiff.

The WRU wants to reduce the number of men’s professional teams in Wales from four to three. But former players say the proposals risk triggering a “downward spiral” and threaten the future of rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.

In a statement signed by dozens of ex‑players, coaches and staff, the group praised current head coach Mark Jones and his squad for their “absolute commitment” despite the uncertainty — and warned that cutting a team “comes with no guarantee of success”.

“You don’t quit because you didn’t win,” the statement said. “You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild.”

The group includes Ryan Jones, James Hook, Barry Williams, Ian Gough, Richard Hibbard, Paul James, Tommy Bowe and former coach Sean Holley. They say the time is right to speak up — and they’re willing to meet the WRU to help shape a “positive future” for the sport.

They argue that Welsh rugby’s golden era — including six Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams — was built on four strong teams, and that removing one now would be a mistake.

“What the game needs is confidence, consistency and collaboration,” they said. “Not constant shifts in direction, where four teams, then two, then three are all presented as the ‘optimal’ solution within a single year.”

The statement also backs Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart’s call to halt the process, warning that the redevelopment of St Helen’s is at risk and that support for the WRU’s proposals is “lacking across the wider Welsh rugby community”.

The group drew comparisons with Connacht, the Irish region once earmarked for closure in 2003. After public opposition forced a rethink, Connacht went on to win the league and recently celebrated the opening of a redeveloped stadium in Galway.

“It is not too late for the WRU to do the same,” the statement said. “Restoring Welsh rugby will take partnership, not imposition.”

Statement from Former Ospreys

As former Ospreys, we feel the time is right to speak up and show our support for the current players and staff during what is clearly a very difficult and uncertain time. It’s hard to imagine the pressure they’re under, yet they continue to perform with pride in the badge, and absolute commitment — just as we saw again on Saturday.

Mark Jones and his coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they are leading in the middle of all this uncertainty. Unfortunately, both the WRU and Y11 have provided very little clarity about their plans, and even now, after the announcement of a preferred buyer for Cardiff, there is still no real explanation of what this means for the Ospreys.

We support the call made by Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart for the WRU and Y11 to pause the current process and rethink their approach. What is being proposed puts at risk the future of professional rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the redevelopment of an historic rugby venue at St Helen’s.

It is also important to recognise how little support these proposals appear to have across the wider Welsh rugby community. In particular, Ospreys and Cardiff supporters are united in their opposition and their concern about the future for their respective teams.

Following the restructure in 2003 Welsh rugby enjoyed an incredible period of success, a golden era that compares to any other. Six Six Nations titles, four Grand Slams (more than any other nation in this period) and sustained international competitiveness were built on four strong teams. Three of the four professional teams have lifted major trophies, and only Leinster have won the Celtic League more times than the Ospreys.

Sport always goes in cycles. There are highs and lows, good years and tough years. No team wins everything, all of the time. You don’t quit because you didn’t win. You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild. The challenges are what make the successes more special.

A lack of long-term investment and clear planning by previous regimes has left Welsh rugby in a difficult place. But real progress will only come through working together. Change is needed, but it must be built through partnership, not imposed by one side alone.

Cutting a team comes with no guarantee of future success. We believe it more likely to lead to the opposite scenario, with Welsh rugby caught in a downward spiral.

For many of us, it was impossible not to notice the scenes in Galway at the weekend, where a record crowd celebrated the opening of Connacht’s redeveloped stadium. That happened because when presented with the same challenges the IRFU listened to the weight of public opinion, paused, and changed direction. It is not too late for the WRU to do the same.

We know the road ahead will be bumpy but we firmly believe that Welsh rugby can recover if there is a clear, stable and shared vision. What the game needs is confidence, consistency and collaboration — not constant shifts in direction, where four teams, then two, then three are all presented as the “optimal” solution within a single year.

Between us, we have decades of experience at the highest level of the game and a deep connection to the Ospreys, our community clubs and the national team. We are ready to meet with the WRU, individually or collectively, to share that experience and help shape a positive future for Welsh rugby.

Our Blood Is Black

The Ospreys are currently eighth in the United Rugby Championship and preparing to face Ulster in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

More Ospreys News

Swansea Council and Ospreys confirm talks over St Helen’s return
Discussions underway about bringing the region back to its historic home.

Rugby ‘civil war’ as Ospreys boss blasts council
Tensions erupt over claims the region has no long‑term future.

Jones frustrated with Lions result but proud of Ospreys
Head coach praises his side’s fight despite a tough defeat.

MPs accuse WRU of ‘stitch‑up’ as pressure grows
Political scrutiny intensifies over the region’s uncertain future.

Swansea Council blasts WRU over threat to Ospreys
Council leaders warn the shake‑up risks wiping out the region.

Ospreys chief breaks silence after WRU confirms Cardiff sale plan
Y11’s move sparks fresh questions about the region’s future.

WRU confirms plan to sell Cardiff Rugby to Y11
Announcement deepens uncertainty for the Ospreys beyond next season.

Site investigation works to start on new city office development

Swansea Council say the works are due to start on Monday 17 March and could take over a week to complete.

The council say the work will help pave the way for a new Public Sector Hub scheme that’s aimed at helping boost city centre footfall.

The grassed area outside St David’s Church Hall will be fenced off while the works are ongoing and the council say that every effort will be made to minimise disruption.

The Public Sector Hub will include commercial floor space for shops and restaurants on the ground floor. Swansea Council and a range of other public sector partners will occupy office space above.

Made up of four floors above ground level and one floor below, the council say that hundreds of workers will be based at the Public Sector Hub.

The council and its regeneration partners Urban Splash will develop the proposed new building, with the council retaining ownership.

This would form part of the first phase of the overall site’s redevelopment being led by Urban Splash, who are continuing to work on plans for the rest of the site.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We all want our city centre to succeed and to have more shops and other businesses, but we know more footfall is needed to support our existing traders and attract new investment.

“That’s not just the case in Swansea – it’s the same in many other city and town centres across the UK because of challenges like online shopping.

“Schemes like the Public Sector Hub will combine with many others to locate thousands more jobs in the city centre, which will help boost spending there and encourage more shops to open up.

“This scheme will also enable the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site on the seafront. Our regeneration partners Urban Splash are working on detailed proposals for that site, which will be announced as soon as they’re finalised.”

The council say it’s anticipated construction on the Public Sector Hub itself will start on site by the end of 2025.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#CllrRobStewart #construction #officeDevelopment #PublicSectorHub #regeneration #StDavidSShoppingCentre #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #UrbanSplash

Speaker line-up for Swansea conference revealed

Swansea-based businesses, organisations and individuals are being encouraged to book their free place at 4theRegion’s It’s Your Swansea event, which boasts an impressive line-up of speakers.

Cllr Rob Stewart, the leader of Swansea Council, will deliver a keynote speech to give an update on local investments. From the redevelopment of the Civic Centre site and other central projects through to wider retail, leisure and housing schemes throughout the city, Cllr Rob Stewart will cover the ambitious developments planned for Swansea now and in the future.

Throughout the day, a series of panel discussions will cover topics including Swansea’s vibrant music, culture and night-time economy, the promotion of Swansea’s retail and leisure offering, and innovation in sport and wellbeing throughout the city. Speakers include Lisa Mart, venue director of the Swansea Building Society Arena, Jane White, operations director of Centurion, the new owners of Swansea’s Quadrant Shopping Centre, and Alun Wyn Jones, former Wales rugby captain and strategic advisor for the National Network for Innovation in Sport and Health.

There will also be a discussion around how Swansea’s economic development funding has enabled local, cross-sector partnerships to form. Julie James MS, Minister for Delivery at Welsh Government, and David Warburton from regeneration specialists, Urban Splash, will be part of this conversation.

Dawn Lyle, Director of 4theRegion, the organisers of It’s Your Swansea, comments: “It’s Your Swansea has become an important event in Swansea’s calendar. As we move into our fifth year, we’re excited to welcome people and businesses as they learn more about what’s happening in the city and take the opportunity to make meaningful connections. 4theRegion’s mission is to facilitate collaborations that address issues facing south west Wales and we’ve built a programme of discussions and workshops that look at everything from local food partnerships, sustainability, creative industries and leadership strategies. The varied line-up has been designed to appeal to a broad audience, whether you’re new to the city and looking for ways to connect with others or you’re in need of some inspiration and advice, there’s something for everyone at It’s Your Swansea.”

Organisers say that alongside the speakers and workshops will be a dedicated exhibition and networking area with more that 100 businesses already signed up to exhibit. The event is being run in partnership with Swansea Council and Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC) and being sponsored by Gower College Swansea, Urban Foundry, Creative Swansea, Swansea Building Society Arena and Swansea Public Services Board.

(Lead image: Adam Davies)

#4theRegion #Business #CllrRobStewart #conference #DawnLyle #Swansea #SwanseaArena #SwanseaConference