With the way that Swansea has been ripped apart to make way for the bendy buses, constant roadworks particularly along Oystermouth Road, the out of town shopping centres, run-down High Street, number of empty retail units, low cost of going to Cardiff, the apparent anti-trader attitude and stance by the local council with what appears to be an enormous number of enforcement officers who seem intent on stopping traders trading it seems that there are many obstacles preventing the City Centre from having the bustling profitable activity that swansea deserves.
It is good to see that the railway station has been refurbished recently but surprisingly that the exterior wasn't cleaned when the building was apparently clad in scaffolding. Surely this wouldn't have been a huge expense: it would certainly have made the building look attractive.
The railway station is one of the two gateways for foot visitors and deserves to be welcoming. It currently looks so drab.
On leaving the railway station there is then a walk into the city centre, probably along that run-down area of lower High Street, brightened only by the Grand Hotel (which has recently been revitalised under new management) and First Call Coffee, who are alone in a long row iof empty retail units.
It is exactly 12 months since the Evening Post wrote "Swansea High Street is the worst entrance to a city centre in the United Kingdom and not even the ambitious regeneration project will solve the problems of the alcoholics, drug addicts and beggars. That is the shocking conclusion of traders on High Street following a three-day police crackdown which saw 50 people temporarily banned from the area for antisocial behaviour."
Chris Holley, Swansea Council leader, said at the time "We recognise that High Street is a key gateway into the city centre and that it leaves many people with their first impressions of Swansea. High Street was historically a bustling retail area and it's our goal to restore it to its former glory."
There are some lovely buildings that avoided the bombings in the forties but they have been so neglected that their real glory is being destroyed. All buildings look run-down and neglected. Surely a fast fix wouldn't be so expensive.
WE NEED SOME CREATIVE AND RADICAL IDEAS THAT CAN BE PUT INTO ACTION TODAY. NOT NEXT WEEK!
With unemployment running so high and schemes to re-train local people as painters and decorators, electricians, plumbers and other trades wouldn't it make sense to have some on-the-job training and just get this area painted. So the Council will foot the bill, but would that be bad? It would help get more people trained and give local people some pride: it would match in with the newly completed Coastal Creative Hub where the Evening Post Theatre has just opened it's doors to Mal Pope's Cappuchino Girls musical: it would welcome newcomers and would help deter some of those currently hanging out on the street. Add some hanging baskets, street furniture and look at the traffic patterns and you'll have a great gateway. The traffic is a huge problem with hold-ups in both directions chrning out more fumes than an army of smokers ever could.
There is now talk of a Sunday street market possibly including stall-holders from the indoor market, a carboot area and local produce. This might be a good idea but how long will it take for crowds to start frequenting the street? Will the council feel the need to grab a fee from all stall-holders or will they see this as a bigger opportunity? Will their enforcement officers be out in force? I feel there need to be some relaxing here.
WE NEED SOME CREATIVE AND RADICAL IDEAS THAT CAN BE PT INTO ACTION TODAY. NOT NEXT WEEK!
At the other end of the High Street there is more activity but because it's a bit of a walk from Oxford Street footfall isn't has high as it could be. Perhaps some entertainment in the large pedestrian area by Slaters and Shaws, adjoining the Kingsway might change the footfall routes. THIS IS A GREAT OPEN SPACE THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. IT MIGHT ALSO HAVE AN IMPACT ON NEW LEASES IN THE SLATTER BUILDING!!!Why not build a stage or at least have a pavement level stage area and have offer all buskers an opportunity to entertain. This could be like Covent Garden where all acts are auditioned and allocated a time each onday morning at 10am. This would ensure a high standard of act. Once again the council should not be looking at fees but at producing a focal point that would attract an audience. Not just singers and guitarists but dancers, classic singers, jugglers, clowns and comedians. Why not fit web cams and broadcast this on the web. This is already being done in other countries to great effect. It could be linked to the Giant Screen in Castle Square too so bringing in more spectators.Take a look at this amazing video of street entertainment. We may not get such talent but who knows! There are great acts around and once running you might get people from across the UK
Now lets look at the existing buskers. Some are ok but others are just aweful. Wouldn't it be sensible to addition these guys Bring up the standard.And I know that Big Issue sellars are doing something positive and we should support them, especially this week to commemorate 50 years since John Bird founded the magazine but there just seems to be too many around town.
And why does it cost so much to give out leaflets in Swansea when it costs a fraction in other towns and cities. 8 months ago it cost £100 for 10 people giving out leaflets in Cardiff, £25 in Bristol, nothing in Newport and about £150 in Swansea, except charities and I guess the canvassers take a big percentage there. BIDS members get big concessions but have a business a mile out of the city centre and you get no concession.
Surely BIDS could be doing more. They should be promoting the retailers. What are they funding? Taxi Marshals at night in Wind Street, anti graffetti gangs, litter or recycling collections - all of which should be council jobs I would have thought.
We need some action now. Take a train or bus to Cardiff and see how vital it is there. And it costs me just £2.50 return by Greyhond on my bus pass, about the same as a cup of coffee!!
WE NEED SOME CREATIVE AND RADICAL IDEAS THAT CAN BE PUT INTO ACTION TODAY. NOT NEXT WEEK!
Why isn't there a manned Tourist Information Kiosk by the Dragon Hotel? Or Oxford Street? Not a building but something small with people who know about the City and can give great advice. Why not a money-off voucher broadsheet being given away with all the offers available in the city?
The excuses about not enough money don't hold up. Get some low-cost and free ideas running.
Even the free parking is jinxed. Did you know you get up to an hour's free parking in the NCP carparks! Well no. On Sunday it's not free but costs something like £3 for an hour. That isn't made very clear and I have talked to a couple of people who have been caught. So parking is free in the council car parks on Sundays but that isn't the issue. I feel it is misrepresentation.
I've had ideas that would make a difference like the on-line radio, the Local Business Loyalty Card and this on-line TV. All of these are proven ideas. But getting any reaction is like holding a burning match to an elephant's hide - nothing.
Staying positive is great when you can see something happening bt it doesn't appear to be. Let's make Swansea great again. Come on Council. alk is cheap. Get real. Get moving! Ct out the Cr*p! Stop worrying about enforcing and start encouraging.
COMMENTS ARE MOST WELCOME
