Optical and Aesthetics clinic proposed for part of new city office development

The national chain, who currently have premises at Alexandra House near the train station, has submitted a ‘Change of Use’ planning application to Swansea Council to use Unit B at the council’s new office development at 71/72 Kingsway as an optical clinic with an aesthetics clinic located within.

The council, who also own the recently constructed building, have already announced that travel operator TUI and workspace provider IWG are to take up tenancies. TUI are currently also based at Alexandra House.

A Swansea Council spokesperson said: “Positive discussions with Optical Express about taking up one of the retail units that fronts onto The Kingsway as part of the development are ongoing.

“We hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks.

“Flexible workspace provider IWG and travel and leisure company TUI have already been confirmed as scheme tenants for the main office spaces area of the building, and details of other tenants will be publicised as soon as talks are finalised.”

Swansea Bay News has approached Optical Express for comment on the application.

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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)

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