#housing-options — Public Fediverse posts
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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:
Library visitors engage with Swansea’s cultural collections at Y Storfa, now more accessible than ever.“It was super busy when we popped in to have a gander.”
(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:
Bilingual plaque marks the official opening of Y Storfa in 2025, funded by the UK and Welsh Governments.“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.”
(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:
Visitors explore digital resources at Y Storfa’s Central Library, now housed in the repurposed BHS building.“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.”
(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
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Y Storfa opens in Swansea city centre as council services move from Civic
The facility is part of the authority’s £1bn regeneration programme and brings together a range of services under one roof, including the city’s Central Library, Housing Options, Housing Support, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service. Careers Wales, Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library also have bases there.
Council leader Rob Stewart described Y Storfa as “a great city centre space for the people of Swansea to access services they use day in day out,” adding that it would “make the city centre an even better place to visit.”
Visitors gather at the main reception desk inside Y Storfa on opening day.
(Image: Swansea Council)The project has been funded in part by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, with construction led by Kier. Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said the company was “incredibly proud to see Y Storfa open its doors to the public, providing a vital community space right at the heart of the city centre.”
Wendy Williams of Careers Wales said the move would make it easier for residents to access free careers advice in a central location, while Caroline Newman of Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot said the relocation would “improve accessibility and create opportunities for collaboration.”
Bilingual signage marks the entrance to the Children’s Library at Y Storfa.
(Image: Swansea Council)The library space at Y Storfa features modern furnishings and seasonal decorations.
(Image: Swansea Council)Staff members at the new Children’s Library inside Y Storfa, part of Swansea Central Library’s relocated services.
(Image: Swansea Council)Services available at Y Storfa
- 📚 Swansea Central Library
- 🏠 Housing Options and Housing Support services
- 📜 West Glamorgan Archive Service
- 🎓 Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library
- 💼 Careers Wales advice centre
- ⚖️ Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot
- Other council services relocated from the Civic Centre
Note: Registration offices and bereavement services remain at the Civic Centre until further notice.
The opening means there is now no public access via the front doors of Swansea Civic Centre. Council services previously based there have transferred to Y Storfa, although registration offices and bereavement services will continue to operate from the Civic until further notice.
The council says redevelopment plans for the Civic Centre are still being worked on and will be announced once finalised.
#archives #bhs #careersWales #centralLibrary #citizensAdvice #civicCentre #featured #housingOptions #housingSupport #library #oxfordStreet #princessWay #swansea #swanseaCouncil #swanseaUniversityMinersLibrary #westGlamorganArchiveService2 #yStorfa