New plans are underway to make the award-winning Swansea Market yet more welcoming to shoppers and traders.
Swansea Council, which manages the large city centre facility, has started a process to update and improve its on-street public entrances.
In recent years the council has invested in new public toilets at the award-winning market and introduced the Market Garden, a popular spot to eat, meet and enjoy events.
Last week (note: Jan 25), the venue was crowned Britain’s best large indoor market in a national awards scheme run by trade body the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).
Market traders are now being kept up to date on the proposed £240,000 improvements to the entrances. They’ll mean an improved look and better security.
Council joint deputy leader and cabinet member David Hopkins said: “As the council continues to deliver its £1bn city centre’s regeneration, the market remains a key destination for shoppers and visitors.
“It’s a fantastic venue at the heart of our city and continues to help make the city centre a great place in which to live, shop, work, study and spend quality free time.
“We’re in the early stages of our plan to revamp the market entrances. Traders will be involved in the decision-making process and the public will be kept informed throughout.
“We’re confident that the designs will be distinctive, high quality and in keeping with the ethos of the market.
“This is also one of our announcements as part of the council’s new #24in24 campaign to show people all the positive things that are happening in our city throughout 2024 and beyond.”
Wayne Holmes, chair of the Swansea Market Traders Federation, said: “It’s great that the market entrances will be getting a new look; it’ll help make the market yet more appealing to shoppers and traders.
“I’m pleased that traders will be part of the process that leads to the development of new entrances for Wales’ largest indoor market.”
Swansea Market is home to around 100 local businesses, ranging from food and takeaways to electrical stores, and from clothes to greengrocery and seafood.
The location has public on-street entrances in Whitewalls, Union Street and Oxford Street – plus an entrance from the Quadrant shopping centre.
Funding for the new-look entrances will come from a range of council sources and, after an extensive procurement process, the project contract has been awarded to South Wales-based, The Tangent Partnership Ltd.
Tangent previously worked with the council and traders to deliver the Market Garden which has proved popular with customers and is a busy venue for events and entertainment.
Tangent director Mary Kerfoot said: “We’re excited to be working on another Swansea Market project.
“We’re passionate about delivering a creative solution for the new-look entrances which will be used by tens of thousands of people every week. Our past experience of working with the council and traders mean we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
The aim of the project is to improve the visibility of the entrances at street level, provide an impactful first impression that does justice to the award-winning venue and improve security to help mitigate instances of anti-social behaviour.
The improved look will be mirrored, where possible, at the market’s Quadrant entrance.
It is hoped that the new-look entrances will be in place this year (note: 2024). During the work, the aim is to keep disruption to a minimum.