World-famous fabric and furnishings retailer Laura Ashley is heading for Swansea.The company is set to open a home furnishings store alongside Currys at Pontarddulais Retail park in Fforestfach.
It should be up and running for business by the end of July.
The news comes hot on the heels of an announcement by posh lingerie chain La Senza that it is to open in June in the city centre. Cosmetics company Lush is also on its way to the city with M &S investing millions in a big revamp of its Oxford Street store.
The investment by Laura Ashley will create 17 new jobs.
The company has had a store in Carmarthen for four years. It also had an outlet at the Homebase DIY store in Parc Tawe but pulled out in 2005.
Its new outlet will be certain to pull in extra shoppers to Swansea although experts say they are sorry it is going to an out-of-town site rather than the city centre itself.
Denise Road, chairwoman of city centre-based JT Morgan, said: "It's nice to see another well-known brand coming to Swansea.
"It's just a shame they didn't come to the city centre."
Chairman of Swansea Business Improvement District, Peter Birch, said: "I would have preferred them to come to the city centre.
"The town is developing fantastically, there's a buzz about the place so it does surprise me they have gone out of town."
Laura Ashley was the Merthyr Tydfil-born fashion and fabric designer who created a global company and brand.
The business was to become an outstanding Welsh success story.From humble beginnings working on the top of her kitchen table, Ashley made mats, napkins and tea towels, which she carried and tried to sell to various stores while in a small basement flat in London's Pimlico.
Ashley and her City stockbroker husband Bernard missed Wales and moved to Powys.
Factories were opened in Mid-Wales and by the mid-1970s Laura Ashley dresses were being sold across Europe.
There were stores in London, Paris, Geneva and Brussels as well as Llanidloes as the company's unique designs and floral patterns grew in popularity.
The booming business had 5,000 outlets throughout the world by 1981.In 1985, on her 60th birthday, Laura fell down a flight of stairs and died after nine days in a coma.
At the time the company was on the verge of expansion and employed 4,000 staff.
But the 1990s saw the company's styles fall out of fashion and in 1999 the last of her five factories in Wales was closed.
Fiona Rees of Swansea Futures, a company set up by Swansea Council to promote the city to a wider audience, said: "Laura Ashley is going through a bit of a resurgence and it is good news that a company like that sees Swansea as on the up."
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
NEW CITY STORE LOOKS SENZA-TIONAL
Oo La LA! A posh new lingerie store is on its way to Swansea city centre.
The popular La Senza lingerie chain is the latest store to give the city centre a big vote of confidence by announcing it is setting up shop here.
Selling high quality lingerie, the company has a reputation for affordability and elegance.It will open at the junction of Portland Street and Oxford Street in a shop until now occupied by discount chain Profile.
The opening is being earmarked for the end of June, say company bosses.
A High Street boutique chain, La Senza promotes its products as "comfortable and romantic lingerie and nightwear".
The chain has stores in Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Norway and Spain.
The company was formerly owned by Millwall Football Club director Theo Paphitis, who was one of the panel of entrepreneurs on BBC TV's Dragon's Den programme.
Last year he sold up to private equity group Lion Capital, which vowed to expand throughout the UK and Europe.
Chairman of the Swansea Business Improvement District, Peter Birch, said: "It's brilliant news.
"Every week there's somebody announcing they are coming to Swansea.
"Companies are seeing investment is being poured into Swansea.
"We have a Business Improvement District here which is a first in Wales.
"People can recognise that it's the place they want to be."
He said companies which had pulled out of the city centre could live to regret their decision.
"They might find the error of their ways and realise Swansea is a much sought-after place to come.
"A store like La Senza will add to the wide variety of shopping in Swansea.
"JT Morgan managing director John Coles said: "Any store that is coming to the city centre is good. At the end of the day, the more businesses we have in the city centre, the better it is.
"It is up to us to compete."
Shopper Holly Vance, aged 34, of Wimmerfield Avenue, Killay, Swansea, added: "At last we seem to be getting some decent names here.
"It is not before time. I just hope there are a few more in the weeks to come to add to the list.''
The popular La Senza lingerie chain is the latest store to give the city centre a big vote of confidence by announcing it is setting up shop here.
Selling high quality lingerie, the company has a reputation for affordability and elegance.It will open at the junction of Portland Street and Oxford Street in a shop until now occupied by discount chain Profile.
The opening is being earmarked for the end of June, say company bosses.
A High Street boutique chain, La Senza promotes its products as "comfortable and romantic lingerie and nightwear".
The chain has stores in Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Norway and Spain.
The company was formerly owned by Millwall Football Club director Theo Paphitis, who was one of the panel of entrepreneurs on BBC TV's Dragon's Den programme.
Last year he sold up to private equity group Lion Capital, which vowed to expand throughout the UK and Europe.
Chairman of the Swansea Business Improvement District, Peter Birch, said: "It's brilliant news.
"Every week there's somebody announcing they are coming to Swansea.
"Companies are seeing investment is being poured into Swansea.
"We have a Business Improvement District here which is a first in Wales.
"People can recognise that it's the place they want to be."
He said companies which had pulled out of the city centre could live to regret their decision.
"They might find the error of their ways and realise Swansea is a much sought-after place to come.
"A store like La Senza will add to the wide variety of shopping in Swansea.
"JT Morgan managing director John Coles said: "Any store that is coming to the city centre is good. At the end of the day, the more businesses we have in the city centre, the better it is.
"It is up to us to compete."
Shopper Holly Vance, aged 34, of Wimmerfield Avenue, Killay, Swansea, added: "At last we seem to be getting some decent names here.
"It is not before time. I just hope there are a few more in the weeks to come to add to the list.''
Thursday, 12 April 2007
'YOU'VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD' - SAY LABOUR
Labour has promised to bring more quality jobs to the Welsh economy with the publication of the party's manifesto for business.
It will go head-to-head with Plaid which plans to draw attention to its policy of cutting business rates for small firms when its leader Ieaun Wyn Jones hits the campaign trail tomorrow.
Labour said it would streamline business support and introduce a single flexible investment fund for business worth up to £200 million a year.
The merger of the Assembly Government and the Welsh Development Agency, part of Rhodri Morgan's bonfire of the quangos, was supposed to cut the plethora of public sector organisations offering support to business.
Labour is putting its record on the economy at the forefront of its election campaign, championing the creation of 140,000 jobs.
However, opposition parties have panned Labour, accusing it of failing to improve Wales's wealth in comparison with other UK nations and regions.
The number of apprenticeships would go up to 25,000 and skills academies would be created to train workers in key sectors under a third-term Labour government.
It would target the next round of EU aid to Wales on innovation, skills and training.
Home-grown businesses would get help competing for public contracts and there would be more money for crucial transport routes.
Mr Morgan said: "A strong and successful economy is at the heart of everything Welsh Labour is doing to build a better Wales, because more and better jobs mean more people in work and greater prosperity and confidence for all.
"The only way to ensure Wales continues to create more, better paid jobs is to vote Labour on May 3."
Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies said: "Labour is the only party in Wales committed to tackling the real challenges of globalisation.
"We do not want Wales to compete on low wages with developing economies."
Mr Morgan, who was joined by Assembly candidate Andrew Davies for yesterday's launch of the manifesto at Swansea's Sail Bridge, said the city had undergone a massive change during the four years since he opened the landmark structure across the Tawe.
He said that the sight of numerous cranes towering over the Swansea skyline was evidence that a Labour-run Assembly was helping to transform the fortunes of the city and reduce the gap between East and West Wales.
Mr Morgan added: "You can see a lot of cranes in SA1 and the city centre."SA1, Wind Street and other parts of the city are showing what can be done.
"Swansea is very much a city on the move."
Mr Morgan said Swansea's success was not only based on high profile jobs such as those in the "knowledge economy" - generated by places like the university and spin-offs operating at the Technium in SA1.
He pointed to the massive new 390 metre long Amazon distribution centre being built in Jersey Marine.
Mr Morgan said: "When you come to Swansea and you see that huge number of earth movers it tells you something.
"Amazon had to be in business by the Christmas run-up.
We were the only place which could do that and it is thanks to Andrew and his staff."
Mr Davies said the deal was turned around in 100 days and showed that Labour was able to draw in big business like Boots and Motorola which were working with Swansea University which was generating new jobs in places like the techniums in SA1.
He said: "The Technium was an idea born in Swansea. A lot of the businesses in the Technium are spin-offs from the university."
Mr Morgan added Swansea was enjoying a purple patch.
He said: "There are more people in work in Wales than ever before." First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, launch Labour?s new manifesto on the Sail Bridge, Swansea.
It will go head-to-head with Plaid which plans to draw attention to its policy of cutting business rates for small firms when its leader Ieaun Wyn Jones hits the campaign trail tomorrow.
Labour said it would streamline business support and introduce a single flexible investment fund for business worth up to £200 million a year.
The merger of the Assembly Government and the Welsh Development Agency, part of Rhodri Morgan's bonfire of the quangos, was supposed to cut the plethora of public sector organisations offering support to business.
Labour is putting its record on the economy at the forefront of its election campaign, championing the creation of 140,000 jobs.
However, opposition parties have panned Labour, accusing it of failing to improve Wales's wealth in comparison with other UK nations and regions.
The number of apprenticeships would go up to 25,000 and skills academies would be created to train workers in key sectors under a third-term Labour government.
It would target the next round of EU aid to Wales on innovation, skills and training.
Home-grown businesses would get help competing for public contracts and there would be more money for crucial transport routes.
Mr Morgan said: "A strong and successful economy is at the heart of everything Welsh Labour is doing to build a better Wales, because more and better jobs mean more people in work and greater prosperity and confidence for all.
"The only way to ensure Wales continues to create more, better paid jobs is to vote Labour on May 3."
Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies said: "Labour is the only party in Wales committed to tackling the real challenges of globalisation.
"We do not want Wales to compete on low wages with developing economies."
Mr Morgan, who was joined by Assembly candidate Andrew Davies for yesterday's launch of the manifesto at Swansea's Sail Bridge, said the city had undergone a massive change during the four years since he opened the landmark structure across the Tawe.
He said that the sight of numerous cranes towering over the Swansea skyline was evidence that a Labour-run Assembly was helping to transform the fortunes of the city and reduce the gap between East and West Wales.
Mr Morgan added: "You can see a lot of cranes in SA1 and the city centre."SA1, Wind Street and other parts of the city are showing what can be done.
"Swansea is very much a city on the move."
Mr Morgan said Swansea's success was not only based on high profile jobs such as those in the "knowledge economy" - generated by places like the university and spin-offs operating at the Technium in SA1.
He pointed to the massive new 390 metre long Amazon distribution centre being built in Jersey Marine.
Mr Morgan said: "When you come to Swansea and you see that huge number of earth movers it tells you something.
"Amazon had to be in business by the Christmas run-up.
We were the only place which could do that and it is thanks to Andrew and his staff."
Mr Davies said the deal was turned around in 100 days and showed that Labour was able to draw in big business like Boots and Motorola which were working with Swansea University which was generating new jobs in places like the techniums in SA1.
He said: "The Technium was an idea born in Swansea. A lot of the businesses in the Technium are spin-offs from the university."
Mr Morgan added Swansea was enjoying a purple patch.
He said: "There are more people in work in Wales than ever before." First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, launch Labour?s new manifesto on the Sail Bridge, Swansea.
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
COSMETICS FIRM'S CITY STORE PLANS
Posh cosmetics store Lush is set to open a shop in Swansea in the latest show of confidence in the city centre.
Ambitious plans to revamp the city's shopping areas are proving popular with companies, and new investment is beginning to flood in.
Work on redeveloping the David Evans site is well underway, and last week Marks and Spencer announced plans to upgrade its Oxford Street store.
Now Lush, which specialises in hand-made soaps and cosmetics, is set to open a store in Whitewalls, opposite the popular Primark store, in what was once a nail bar.
Its innovative selling style is a big winner with customers. Its goods are displayed as if in a fruit and veg store, with chunks of cosmetics cut to weight and then sold.
A spokeswoman for Lush confirmed the company was awaiting planning permission on the unit, but could not give an opening date. The news that another big name could be heading to Swansea has been welcomed.
Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said: "Confidence is building in the city.
It is a great feeling knowing that companies want to come here. Not too long ago companies were leaving the city centre. It's great that things are changing.
"The city centre will certainly have more to offer than the out-of- town parks."
Denise Road, chairwoman of JT Morgan, said the latest news of fresh investment from a major national chain showed the city was on the up. Late last year she gave the renewal plans her own seal of approval by announcing plans to relocate to the David Evans site.
She said: "Marks and Spencer has revamped all its major stores, and it had been a worry that nothing was happening in Swansea. So the fact it is now planning to invest is good news. Any new investment in the city centre has to be welcomed, and Lush coming here is good news.
"We have backed the city centre with our commitment to the David Evans site, but there is a danger that smaller independent traders could be lost.
"We have experienced very difficult times in the city, and although there are impressive plans for the future, I think there needs to be some short-term help.
"A lot of cities that have been redeveloped in recent years have seen a loss of diversity because independent traders have been squeezed out or priced out.
"There is still a need to help these smaller shops until this new confidence in Swansea is translated into more shoppers."
Ambitious plans to revamp the city's shopping areas are proving popular with companies, and new investment is beginning to flood in.
Work on redeveloping the David Evans site is well underway, and last week Marks and Spencer announced plans to upgrade its Oxford Street store.
Now Lush, which specialises in hand-made soaps and cosmetics, is set to open a store in Whitewalls, opposite the popular Primark store, in what was once a nail bar.
Its innovative selling style is a big winner with customers. Its goods are displayed as if in a fruit and veg store, with chunks of cosmetics cut to weight and then sold.
A spokeswoman for Lush confirmed the company was awaiting planning permission on the unit, but could not give an opening date. The news that another big name could be heading to Swansea has been welcomed.
Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said: "Confidence is building in the city.
It is a great feeling knowing that companies want to come here. Not too long ago companies were leaving the city centre. It's great that things are changing.
"The city centre will certainly have more to offer than the out-of- town parks."
Denise Road, chairwoman of JT Morgan, said the latest news of fresh investment from a major national chain showed the city was on the up. Late last year she gave the renewal plans her own seal of approval by announcing plans to relocate to the David Evans site.
She said: "Marks and Spencer has revamped all its major stores, and it had been a worry that nothing was happening in Swansea. So the fact it is now planning to invest is good news. Any new investment in the city centre has to be welcomed, and Lush coming here is good news.
"We have backed the city centre with our commitment to the David Evans site, but there is a danger that smaller independent traders could be lost.
"We have experienced very difficult times in the city, and although there are impressive plans for the future, I think there needs to be some short-term help.
"A lot of cities that have been redeveloped in recent years have seen a loss of diversity because independent traders have been squeezed out or priced out.
"There is still a need to help these smaller shops until this new confidence in Swansea is translated into more shoppers."
Monday, 9 April 2007
MAKEOVER BIGGEST IN HALF A CENTURY
Developers who want a piece of the action in Swansea's biggest makeover for more than 50 years are lining up in their hundreds.
Around 250 of them have been in touch with council bosses saying they are interested in working on the project.
The revamp is the most ambitious since the Germans flattened much of Swansea's old town centre in the Second World War prompting a 1950s building frenzy.
The makeover project was first unveiled just four weeks ago. Now officials have revealed there have been almost 250 inquiries about three key sites.
Council Leader Chris Holley said: "It's very positive news that so many developers have already been in touch and that the launch was so well-received.
"Swansea Council is hoping to attract developers for the St David's and Quadrant shopping centre, land near the Sail Bridge, and Paxton Street and east car parks at County Hall.
So far the Quadrant and St David's site and the Sail Bridge site are attracting the most attention.
Around 130 developers have inquired about the shopping area while another 100 have asked about the possibility of developing flats on the land next to the Tawe.
A detailed vision for the city centre has been produced for the council setting out a number of areas in need of regeneration. Developers have been given until the end of the month to put their names forward for the sites and a preferred partner should be named later this year.
Councillor Holley said: "We expect there'll be a lot more contact by the end of the month and that exciting, innovative ideas will be generated.
"We want to create a vibrant heart to the city centre, to develop a high-quality European boulevard at Oystermouth Road, to better connect the city to the waterfront and to develop complementary districts such as Mansel Street and Alexandra Road.
"The strategy is part of a long-term plan to regenerate the city which many claim has suffered from underinvestment by the private sector for some years.
Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said he was delighted with the interest shown in the revamp.
He added: "More is happening in Swansea now than has ever happened in my time here since 1980. There is more money being invested here than in a lot of towns and cities in Britain.
"The city stagnated for so long, but now people are concentrating on the centre again. There was a time when developers were looking at out-of-town areas, but that has stopped and they now want to be involved with the centre and to see that thriving again.
"This council has made a brave decision to get the leisure centre reopened and it is reaping the rewards from that and its vision for Swansea. I am really pleased for the city and the traders who have hung on in here through the hard times. Things are really looking up now and I am happy to be part of that."
Around 250 of them have been in touch with council bosses saying they are interested in working on the project.
The revamp is the most ambitious since the Germans flattened much of Swansea's old town centre in the Second World War prompting a 1950s building frenzy.
The makeover project was first unveiled just four weeks ago. Now officials have revealed there have been almost 250 inquiries about three key sites.
Council Leader Chris Holley said: "It's very positive news that so many developers have already been in touch and that the launch was so well-received.
"Swansea Council is hoping to attract developers for the St David's and Quadrant shopping centre, land near the Sail Bridge, and Paxton Street and east car parks at County Hall.
So far the Quadrant and St David's site and the Sail Bridge site are attracting the most attention.
Around 130 developers have inquired about the shopping area while another 100 have asked about the possibility of developing flats on the land next to the Tawe.
A detailed vision for the city centre has been produced for the council setting out a number of areas in need of regeneration. Developers have been given until the end of the month to put their names forward for the sites and a preferred partner should be named later this year.
Councillor Holley said: "We expect there'll be a lot more contact by the end of the month and that exciting, innovative ideas will be generated.
"We want to create a vibrant heart to the city centre, to develop a high-quality European boulevard at Oystermouth Road, to better connect the city to the waterfront and to develop complementary districts such as Mansel Street and Alexandra Road.
"The strategy is part of a long-term plan to regenerate the city which many claim has suffered from underinvestment by the private sector for some years.
Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said he was delighted with the interest shown in the revamp.
He added: "More is happening in Swansea now than has ever happened in my time here since 1980. There is more money being invested here than in a lot of towns and cities in Britain.
"The city stagnated for so long, but now people are concentrating on the centre again. There was a time when developers were looking at out-of-town areas, but that has stopped and they now want to be involved with the centre and to see that thriving again.
"This council has made a brave decision to get the leisure centre reopened and it is reaping the rewards from that and its vision for Swansea. I am really pleased for the city and the traders who have hung on in here through the hard times. Things are really looking up now and I am happy to be part of that."
'IT'S NOT JUST A REVAMP IT'S AN M&S REVAMP'
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has delivered a much- needed boost to Swansea city centre.
It is to invest millions into its Oxford Street store, turning it into a flagship development.
The transformation is being seen as a huge vote of confidence in the city centre as a retail hotspot.
Company bosses won't reveal exactly how much they are spending on the revamp.
But it is known the interior of the shop is to be gutted and completely remodelled with bigger women's wear, homeware and furniture sections and a new food hall in a scheme that will cost a fortune.
The store's cafe is going to be moved to the second floor. An extra 40 seats are going to be added.
Store manager Darren Rayner said that the changes would make the Swansea store the most modern M &S in South Wales. "This investment is terrific news for the company and for the city," he said."When it is finished it will be the only store in South Wales to have the full refit, something not even our store in Cardiff will have.
"The investment is a massive boost for the city centre, which is constantly having to fight off competition from nearby out-of-town retail parks.
Fears had even been voiced in some quarters that M &S itself might pull out because of the success of its developments at Parc Fforestfach. And only this week company bosses confirmed they are to switch their Llanelli town centre operation in favour of the nearby Parc Trostre retail park.
However, Mr Rayner said the new investment in Swansea demonstrated the store's commitment to the city centre.
"We are playing our part in regenerating the city centre," he said."It is clear that things are happening in Swansea, and we want to be a part of that change.
"The city centre is still important and we want to be here. But we don't just want to stay, we want to grow and develop here.
"Work on the store is due to start next month and is expected to last 19 weeks. The shop will remain open during the refurbishment. Around 60,000 shoppers use M &S every week and it is a major factor is bringing people into the city centre. A revamped store is likely to have a positive knock-on effect for other traders.
News of the investment was welcomed by Rosemary Morgan, chairwoman of the City Centre Partnership.
She said: "It is very encouraging for Swansea that an organisation like Marks & Spencer is making this commitment. "It shows the confidence they have in the city centre.
"Hopefully it will help to encourage other big names to follow their example and invest in Swansea."
Swansea city centre shopper Adele Warwick, of Sydney Street in Brynhyfryd, said: "I am delighted.
"I think M &S is the one thing that really still pulls people into Swansea. This can only help that."
It is to invest millions into its Oxford Street store, turning it into a flagship development.
The transformation is being seen as a huge vote of confidence in the city centre as a retail hotspot.
Company bosses won't reveal exactly how much they are spending on the revamp.
But it is known the interior of the shop is to be gutted and completely remodelled with bigger women's wear, homeware and furniture sections and a new food hall in a scheme that will cost a fortune.
The store's cafe is going to be moved to the second floor. An extra 40 seats are going to be added.
Store manager Darren Rayner said that the changes would make the Swansea store the most modern M &S in South Wales. "This investment is terrific news for the company and for the city," he said."When it is finished it will be the only store in South Wales to have the full refit, something not even our store in Cardiff will have.
"The investment is a massive boost for the city centre, which is constantly having to fight off competition from nearby out-of-town retail parks.
Fears had even been voiced in some quarters that M &S itself might pull out because of the success of its developments at Parc Fforestfach. And only this week company bosses confirmed they are to switch their Llanelli town centre operation in favour of the nearby Parc Trostre retail park.
However, Mr Rayner said the new investment in Swansea demonstrated the store's commitment to the city centre.
"We are playing our part in regenerating the city centre," he said."It is clear that things are happening in Swansea, and we want to be a part of that change.
"The city centre is still important and we want to be here. But we don't just want to stay, we want to grow and develop here.
"Work on the store is due to start next month and is expected to last 19 weeks. The shop will remain open during the refurbishment. Around 60,000 shoppers use M &S every week and it is a major factor is bringing people into the city centre. A revamped store is likely to have a positive knock-on effect for other traders.
News of the investment was welcomed by Rosemary Morgan, chairwoman of the City Centre Partnership.
She said: "It is very encouraging for Swansea that an organisation like Marks & Spencer is making this commitment. "It shows the confidence they have in the city centre.
"Hopefully it will help to encourage other big names to follow their example and invest in Swansea."
Swansea city centre shopper Adele Warwick, of Sydney Street in Brynhyfryd, said: "I am delighted.
"I think M &S is the one thing that really still pulls people into Swansea. This can only help that."
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