Swansea city centre traders are being given an extra boost ahead of Small Business Saturday on December 1.A free parking offer at The Quadrant and St David’s multi storey car parks aims to attract more shoppers and visitors.
The scheme, from 10am to 4pm, is funded by construction company Dawnus and by Swansea BID (Business Improvement District). They are working in partnership on the scheme with Swansea Council.
Dawnus – on behalf of the council – is carrying out the £12m Kingsway infrastructure project, set to transform one of the key arteries into and out of the city centre.
The Swansea-based company is keen to support business who may face disruption during the works, and to show its appreciation for their patience.
Mathew Morgan, regional director of Dawnus, said: “After meeting with Swansea BID to discuss ways in which we could support the city centre, we are pleased to back local firms on Small Business Saturday, by helping to fund this parking offer. Our construction team has worked very hard to complete works to The Kingsway South – the traffic switch over has now been successfully completed and the barriers have now been removed, to allow shoppers to access the area easily.”
Swansea BID chair Juliet Luporini said: “I encourage shoppers to take advantage of this opportunity to support local businesses and to make a good start on their Christmas shopping. We are fortunate to have a great mix of big names and smaller, independent businesses in the Swansea BID area, all of whom are gearing up for a lively Christmas period.”
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “Small businesses are vitally important to our city centre now and to the area’s success in its very bright future. Our regeneration under way, including new city centre homes, a dramatically improved Kingsway, the digital village and the 3,500-capacity digital arena, will transform the area.
“It will see more people living in the city centre, working there and spending quality free time there. There’s free parking all year every Sunday in council car parks, after 3pm Monday-Saturday in the St David’s multi-story over the Christmas season – and the Kingsway is clear of roadwork’s until January 6. There are great attractions such as the Christmas Market, Santa’s Grotto and Waterfront Winterland.”