Swansea Shoppers, Visitors and Businesses Tell Us What They Have #MissedMost During Lockdown

Jul 6, 2020

Swansea City Centre is re-opening after months of lockdown, and businesses are delighted to be welcoming shoppers and visitors back. The landscape has changed – firms have stepped up to meet the ongoing challenges of social distancing and they have put all necessary measures in place to keep shoppers safe and reassured. Swansea BID’s (Business Improvement District) Big Heart of Swansea team has been out in the City Centre this week to find out what shoppers, visitors and BID area businesses have #missedmost about their City Centre. You can find more on The Big Heart of Swansea Facebook page, but this is what they said:

Simon: “I’m the owner of the Games Emporium, in Swansea High Street. It’s really nice to see Swansea opening again. The thing I’ve missed most is Jack’s bacon sandwiches from the café next door to my shop. Our store is back open now for sales. Unfortunately our gaming room isn’t open yet but we’re hoping that very soon you will be able to come in and play all you favourite games with your friends instore and get your very own Jacks delivered to our shop next door.”

Richard: “I’ve missed everything about Swansea City Centre – the shops, the pubs and the restaurants, because we have a lot of meals out. I can’t wait for it all to get back to normal.”

Charlotte: “What have I missed most?  Thai Taste, in Swansea Market. Especially their spring rolls.”

Sophie: “I have really missed going out in Wind Street being able to socialise with my friends – and going to Primark.”

Chrissie: “The thing I have missed most is visiting Brontosaurus Vegan during my lunchbreak and getting some of their lovely vegan snacks.”

Erin: “I’ve really missed going out in Wind Street and shopping in Primark with my friends. I’m glad to be back in the City Centre today doing some clothes shopping.”

Goff, proprietor at Moustache, the men’s clothing store in Cradock Street.

“I have traded in Swansea for some 45 years and it is great to be open again.  This has been a trying time, but our regular customers are coming back through the door. I have certainly missed the vibrancy of the City Centre and going to the market for lunch. Hopefully more people will come back to enjoy Swansea, particularly with the improvements that are going on, and we can all carry on and keep the businesses going.”

Nathalie, who works at Lush: “What have I missed most? Trying all the new food in Swansea. I’m really excited to try the V Hub, in Cradock Street.”

Andrew (Duggie): “I’m the Business Liaison Manager for Swansea BID. It is lovely to see the City Centre slowly coming back to life as the businesses open bit-by-bit. Personally, I’m desperate for the barbers to open again. Also, There’s nothing like a barista-made cup of coffee, which is why I’m here today at Basekamp to top up on as much good coffee as possible.”

There are so many good reasons to come back to Swansea City Centre as a shopper and worker and a visitor. As a BID we have been supplying PPE packs to our businesses, they have all worked vey hard to put safety measures in place, all the Council car parks are open and are currently free, except for St David’s MSCP.”

“I would encourage people to keep their eye on the Swansea BID and Big Heart social media platforms for regular updates about which businesses are opening and when. And please make sure that anybody you used for delivery services during lockdown, let’s carry on using those valuable businesses. Support your local traders. Swansea City Centre is here – let’s use it and enjoy it.”