Popeyes to open Swansea restaurant in former Topshop building this October

The Louisiana fried chicken chain will open at 6–7 Whitewalls, Oxford Street, in the former Topshop and Topman store on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitewalls. The site closed in 2020 when Arcadia went into administration and was purchased by Swansea.com development company in January 2024. The firm, which also holds the stadium naming rights for Swansea City AFC’s home ground, has been working with Caredig Housing Association on a major redevelopment of the building.

The upper floors are being converted into 15 modern apartments, while the ground floor has been divided into three new commercial units. Popeyes® will be the first national operator confirmed for the site, which Swansea.com says is a key part of wider city centre regeneration.

Fourth Welsh opening The Swansea branch will be Popeyes’ fourth restaurant in Wales, joining existing sites in Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay and Newport. It will also be the brand’s 37th UK opening this year.

Opening day giveaways To celebrate the launch, Popeyes® UK is offering:

• Free Chicken Sandwiches for a year for the first three people in the queue
• Exclusive Popeyes® UK merchandise for the first 50 customers
• A free Chicken Sandwich for the first 100 customers

Queues of up to 16 hours were reported at previous Welsh openings, and Swansea is expected to see similar demand. A Mardi Gras‑style performance from The Brass Funkeys will bring a New Orleans flavour to the launch event.

On the menu The restaurant will serve Popeyes® favourites including the Chicken Sandwich, Signature Wraps, Hot Wings and Tenders, all made with 100% fresh chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasonings and hand‑breaded for its signature “shatter‑crunch.”

A breakfast menu will also be available daily from 8am to 10am, including a £1.99 meal deal of a Bacon Roll, Cajun Hash Brown and drink, available exclusively via the Popeyes® UK app.

Tom Crowley, Chief Executive Officer of Popeyes® UK, said: “Wales is a key growth area for Popeyes®, and the passion and excitement from Welsh fans never disappoints – from Cardiff to Newport, people have waited 16 hours for a taste of our famous Chicken Sandwiches. Bringing the New Orleans spirit to Swansea feels like the perfect next step.”

Latest in a wave of US chains Popeyes® is the latest American fast food brand to launch in Swansea. In recent years the city has welcomed:

• Denny’s, which opened its first UK restaurant at Parc Tawe in December 2017
• Taco Bell, which opened on Oxford Street in 2021
• Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee chain, which opened in Swansea Enterprise Park in December 2022
• Wingstop, the US chicken wing chain, which opened on Wind Street on Monday 3 February 2025
• Slim Chickens, which opened on Wind Street on Thursday 26 June 2025
• Carl’s Jr., the Californian burger chain, which opened its first Swansea restaurant on Wind Street on Thursday 4 September 2025

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Fried chicken restaurant Popeyes to open in Swansea
Chain confirms plans for a Swansea site as part of wider UK expansion.

Carl’s Jr. to open first Swansea restaurant as part of UK expansion
Iconic Californian burger chain launches on Wind Street.

Slim Chickens to open new Swansea restaurant ‘bringing southern comfort to the city’s favourite party street’
US fried chicken brand opens on Wind Street with giveaways and jobs boost.

Highly‑anticipated chicken restaurant Wingstop set to open in Swansea
US chicken wing chain confirms Wind Street opening in February 2025.

#AmericanFastFood #apartments #BrassFunkeys #Caredig #chicken #ChickenSandwich #ChickenWings #development #fastFood #featured #friedChicken #Popeyes #restaurant #socialHousing #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCom #takeaway

Beloved Swansea pub The Queen’s Hotel, one of the city’s last surviving traditional pubs, has new  owners – but will be staying exactly how it is! 

Swansea.com, a local investment company committed to regeneration in Swansea, are the proud  new owners of the thriving, traditional pub based at Gloucester Place in the city’s maritime  quarter, but the long-serving staff and management team who regulars know and love will be staying the same. 

The Queen’s Hotel first opened back in 1892 and has a long and colourful history. A true Swansea  institution, whilst other Victorian pubs in the city have been and gone, The Queen’s Hotel has  remained a popular haunt for generations and is renowned locally for being a rare example of a  ‘proper’ traditional Welsh pub, with old-school décor, classic furniture, and pictures from  Swansea’s maritime history adorning the walls. 

Following its acquisition, The Queen’s Hotel is now part of Swansea.com’s ‘The Morgans  Collection’, alongside Swansea’s number one rated hotel on TripAdvisor, 4* boutique hotel  Morgans Hotel on Somerset Place and The Georgian Swansea, which offers elegant 5* guest  accommodation on nearby Prospect Place. 

Confirming the acquisition, General Manager at The Morgans Collection, Kate Bowen said:

“We  are delighted to announce that The Queens has officially joined The Morgans Collection. As a  regular customer and passionate supporter of this beloved establishment, I am thrilled to see it  remain a cherished fixture in our community. 

“The Queens will continue to operate as a traditional local pub, preserving its iconic charm that  has made it a favourite among residents in the heart of the city centre.

“Our commitment is to  uphold the pub’s legacy by ensuring that it operates seamlessly under the same management  and dedicated team that has made it such a special place. 

“We look forward to continuing the success of The Queens and are excited for what the future  holds!” 

Group Managing Director at Swansea.com, Jacob Hughes added:

“Having first spoke to Ossie  Wheatley in 2019, I am privileged that Swansea.com can now continue his legacy in being the  proud custodian of the Queens. This purchase is a key part our ongoing elevation strategy for not  only the Maritime Quarter, but Swansea as a city. 

“I’d like to thank Ossie and Chris in trusting us with this precious icon, and we are determined to  continue the work of late legend ‘Gary Owen’.”

[Lead image: Swansea.com]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/02/iconic-swansea-pub-the-queens-hotel-under-new-ownership/

#featured #MorgansCollection #QueenSHotel #SwanseaCom