South Wales Evening Post - 17 June 2006
Swansea High Street's Iceland store has shut with the loss of around 14 jobs. The frozen food retailer has closed after more than 20 years.
The company was one of the biggest in a shopping street which once boasted a string of famous names such as Littlewoods, WH Smiths and Woolworths. All have now gone. Argos also wanted to open a third Swansea store, and was rumoured to be pulling out as well, but was stopped after Swansea Council put a block on it opening in a new out-of-town site at Morfa.
The High Street area's fortunes suffered their biggest knock-back when the Quadrant shopping centre opened in the late 1970s, attracting people to their doors instead.Adrian Day, manager of the Iceland store in nearby St Mary's Square, said there was no question about its future."
We have recently undergone refurbishment, so we are staying."It's business as usual for us,'' he added yesterday.
He said five staff from the High Street store had transferred to St Mary's Square.The closure in High Street could eventually help boost the street's fortunes, said the chairman of its traders federation, Tony Collins.
Mr Collins, who works at Formal Hire, said: "Hopefully the store will ultimately make way for smaller units in the street.
"High Street is known for its individual, more niche businesses, and Iceland wasn't one of those."
The street is currently undergoing a revamp, with small business premises to be created.
New shop fronts and housing will help breathe new life into the area as part of a £17 million flagship scheme to spruce up the area.
Swansea Housing Association is behind the scheme, which will include 170 apartments.
It is seen as a tremendous opportunity for the area, which has already seen a number of premises demolished.
Swansea Council has given cash backing for the project, and Swansea Housing Association has said it expects to draw on private finance to supplement a housing grant from the Assembly.
Shoppers yesterday said they were sorry to see the Iceland store go.
Sue Daniels, of Watkin Street, in Mount Pleasant, said it had been a favourite for many over the years.
She added: "I still like High Street because it does offer local shops rather than the big names. But I think a mix of both would have been best.''
Another, Bill Carpenter, aged 78, of Vincent Street, Sandfields, said yesterday: "I can remember when it was really the only place to shop in Swansea.
"It was thriving with people and local personalities. It has changed beyond all recognition.''
