Retailers have experienced their first successful peak season trading at a Swansea shopping destination since the completion of a multi-million pound phased refurbishment.
Home Bargains, B&M and Poundworld all opened stores on Phoenix Retail Park, Swansea, last year after major investment in improvements by Worcestershire-based Barberry Developments.
Discount retailer Poundworld, which opened its Swansea store in November 2011 with a total of 30 staff, welcomed a large number of customers during the Christmas rush and January sales.
Mark Ward, Poundworld property director, said: “We’re really happy to have recently opened our first store in Swansea at Phoenix Retail Park. Where once the single-price retailer was a recognized staple of the high street, this horizon is expanding, and we are now able to bring our ‘value’ experience out of town. Shoppers in Swansea have responded well to our recent store opening and, as a result, we are planning to open a further ten stores in Wales next year.”
Customers’ shopping experience has also been improved following the widening of the existing access road from Phoenix Way. The improved road access is the penultimate stage of renovation of the site, which has seen Barberry Developments carry out an extensive refurbishment of the retail park including replacing external cladding, provision of new feature entrances, internal refurbishment and an improved, resurfaced car park layout.
Martyn Cartwright, director of Barberry Developments, said: “We are delighted that the Phoenix Retail Park occupants have enjoyed such a successful period of activity. The car park has been noticeably full since the refurbishment. We are now progressing with the construction of an additional and separate main customer access from the principal Fendrod Way frontage, which will provide improved connectivity to the adjoining Tesco Extra.”
Phoenix Retail Park is ideally located within four miles of Swansea city centre and has excellent access to junctions 44/45 of the M4. With retail chains B&M, Home Bargains and Poundworld already successfully operating from the retail park, there is currently 25,000 sq ft of space available for lease.
Martin added: “The remaining space has open A1 consent which means it will appeal to a wide range of retailers.”