Deal ‘close’ to secure future of city theatre

Ways of improving Swansea’s High Street, including a viable future for the Palace Theatre, will be explored at an “emergency summit” today.

Council and police chiefs will set out their priorities for the city centre street, which has been the focus of much media attention, at a meeting in Volcano Theatre.

Leaders are keen to hear from people living and working on in High Street who might have workable proposals to improve the area.

Swansea West MP Geraint Davies and organisations including drug and alcohol support service Barod will also be present.

Speaking ahead of the meeting council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s about saying, this is what we think the issues are, and this is what we are currently doing. But is there more we could be doing? We don’t have all the answers.We want to make sure we get this right.”

A variety of issues manifest themselves on High Street, particularly the section between the railway station and Dyfatty, such as prostitution, anti-social behaviour, drug use and homelessness.

A 54-year-old man, Mark Bloomfield, died on July 20 following an alleged assault two days previously at The Full Moon pub, High Street.

A man is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 19 in connection with the incident. But the area is also attracting significant investment from developers, with two schemes for more than 1,000 students under way.

Coastal Housing Group has spent millions of pounds redeveloping a chunk of High Street and The Strand, and has further plans to revitalise the area.

Councillor Stewart said the local authority was determined to find a development partner to bring the rundown, privately-owned Palace Theatre back into use.

The Post understands negotiations are at an advanced stage.

The council is also keen to create better links between the railway station and Parc Tawe, and hopes increased footfall from students and commuters will boost the vibrancy of the area.

The Volcano Theatre event, which Councillor Stewart described as an “emergency summit”, is from 2pm to 5pm.