Former Escape Nightclub in Swansea Becomes Hotspot for Drug Use and Anti-Social Behaviour

Officers from the Swansea City Neighbourhood Team attended the building on Northampton Lane, where they discovered four unsecured doors providing access to the derelict property. The force’s Estates team promptly secured the site while officers attempted to contact the current owner, who has since been informed of the building’s dangerous condition.

Owners of neighbouring venue Jubblys were also on scene, helping to clear and secure the land in front of the former nightclub. Officers have pledged to carry out regular patrols in the area to ensure the premises remains secure and to prevent further incidents.

Escape, which closed in 2015, was once a legendary fixture in the UK club scene. Opened in 1995, it hosted global DJs such as Carl Cox, Paul Van Dyk, Pete Tong, and Ferry Corsten, and even spawned its own festival, Escape Into The Park, held at Singleton Park. At its peak, the venue welcomed up to 1,190 clubbers and employed around 80 staff.

Despite its cultural significance, the building has remained untouched for a decade, with its original signage still intact. In 2017, developers Tower Pension Trustees submitted a pre-application enquiry to Swansea Council proposing to demolish the nightclub and replace it with a four-storey block of 54 student flats. The plans included seven common rooms, laundry and storage facilities, but no car parking. The proposal aimed to revitalise the area, which includes a gym and multi-storey car park, by introducing a well-used development.

However, the redevelopment never progressed beyond the enquiry stage, leaving the site vulnerable to decay and misuse. The recent police intervention underscores the consequences of stalled regeneration and the importance of securing disused urban spaces.

As Swansea continues to evolve, the fate of Escape remains uncertain—caught between its storied past and an unrealised future.

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