Princess Way Development
New clothes shops, an exclusive French shoe shop chain and a bar are set to open in Swansea, creating more than 60 new jobs.
National chains Country Casuals and Viyella will be launching a new store at the Princess Way development this Saturday, 5 December. French shoe shop chain Roberto Durville will also be opening its first UK store there in the spring — its first UK store. The company chose Swansea — because it wants to be part of the city's "vibe".
Roberto Durville will start fitting out its store in the new year to sit alongside its existing outlets in Paris, Nice and Toulouse.
Founder and namesake, Roberto, said: "We were looking for a base in the UK that has roughly the same population and demographics as Toulouse and Swansea is a good fit for our brand. We visited the city when we were looking for a UK location, and were very impressed. There's a vibe in Swansea at the moment because of so many exciting redevelopment projects, and that's something we want to be a part of."
Swansea's Lord Mayor Alan Lloyd will open Country Casuals' new store on Saturday and shop manager Gail Morrell said Swansea needed a store with the level of prestige associated with the brand. She said: "There are a lot of new stores in that area. Country Casuals is a good name in that price sector.
"There are a lot of companies that are going to be approaching developers for other units."
Councillor Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Economic and Strategic Development, said Swansea is bucking the trend. "This news will strengthen Swansea city centre's reputation as the regional shopping centre of South West Wales."
More good news.
Swansea's Quadrant shopping centre now has retailers trading in 38 of its 39 units. Animal has recently opened in the Quadrant as well as Schuh and Hawkins Bazaar. And negotiations are underway on the final vacant unit, near the Officer's Club in the centre.
On Wind Street, husband and wife team Andrew and Claire Beal are putting the finishing touches to The Peppermint Bar, which will officially open for business on Wednesday at the site of the former Que Pasa restaurant.
The Peppermint Bar will be run over two levels with a bar and dining area on the ground floor and a full table service lounge with a night-time food menu upstairs.
South Wales Evening Post - 1 December 2009
Swansea city holds a Safer Shopping Award, and has also won eight Design awards. Shopping in Swansea Bay.
