Scaffolding that has covered a city centre building for more than five years is finally set to be removed completely by the end of the summer. Businesses in Princess Way, Swansea, have had their shopfronts partially obscured since November 2018. It was initially expected to remain there for only six to eight weeks.
Contractors were faced with having to remove around 3,000 tiles to investigate a potential defect in the building walls as we reported in 2019. The large concrete tiles were in danger of falling off the side onto the ground, or shoppers below.
Repair work started in January on the Princess Way building at the former David Evans site that accommodates businesses including Zara, Slater Menswear, and Coffee #1. Representatives acting on behalf of the building’s owners Quantum Swansea LLP say the repair work is being carried out in phases. Scaffolding is expected to be removed from the Castle Street side of the building by early summer this year with all scaffolding proposed to be taken down by the late summer. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
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A spokesman for Quantum Swansea LLP said: “This anticipated timeframe follows on from successful discussions with our main contractor for the works. We acknowledge this has been a difficult period for all our tenants and continue supporting them to achieve a productive outcome.”
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart added: “While we don’t own this building we have been working with the building’s owners with an aim of ensuring the scaffolding can be removed as soon as possible. We welcome that the necessary safety works will now be completed allowing the scaffolding to be removed once and for all. Led by the council, work to transform the former BHS unit into the Y Storfa community hub is continuing at pace nearby. Work to revamp Castle Square Gardens into a far greener and more vibrant space is also due to start later this year.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
