City centre may lose big-name retailer TK Maxx
A MAJOR retailer is believed to be on the verge of pulling out of Swansea city centre for an edge of town development.
TK Maxx has told customers it will be closing its Oxford Street branch and transferring business to its shop in Parc Morfa, near the Liberty Stadium.
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TK Maxx in Oxford Street, Swansea
No date has yet been announced for the move, and there have been no details of any job losses.
A sign informing shoppers of the plans is up in the store.
The firm — which specialises in selling famous brand items at cut prices — opened the city centre branch in 2000 as its biggest outlet, creating more than 100 jobs.
However, just four years later it opened a second Swansea branch at Morfa.
The loss of the big-name retailer would be a blow to the shopping heart of Swansea at a time when the council and traders are trying to breathe new life into the area.
While a number of prominent retail units stand empty — including the old Gap store and MK One premises opposite TK Maxx — recent months have seen the opening of clothes shops Slaters and Zara on the site of the former David Evans department store.
It is not the first time the future of the city centre TK Maxx has been thrown into doubt — in 2006 the lease on the shop was offered for sale. However, the company stayed where it was.
It is not yet know if another company is being lined-up for Oxford Street premises, but retail is continuing to have a difficult time in the current economic downturn.
Business in the Bay website
Last month, figures from the Local Data Company revealed that around one in 10 shops in the city is empty
Figures from LDC show in the past six months the number of vacant retail properties in the city centre has increased by five, and now stands at 30.
A source at Swansea Council confirmed the store was shutting.
However, nobody from TK Maxx was available to comment.
8 Comments
by Stephen G, Swansea
Thursday, September 17 2009, 8:37AM
“Sadly, a lot of shops across the country are empty at the moment - 15% is the UK figure I believe. Swansea is not too bad by that standard but the City Centre is obviously struggling - from a mix of decades of poor planning, ageing tatty shops and competition from the Fforestfach and Morfa Centres.
Swansea is too small for 3 shopping centres and it was only a matter of time before TK Maxx concluded Swansea was too small for them to run two sshops here.
Obo's comment may not be so far off the mark - much of the Kingsway area is becoming residential. It would probably have been better to convert the David Evans building into flats too, rather than that somewhat disappointing retail development, too far from the Quadrant and already looking tatty.
The key thing is that City Centres are not just for shops - we need a variety of uses, to keep them alive”
by Obo, Greasespot., Gobspitsea.
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 9:24PM
“Perhaps the Council can convert TK MAXX into flat's for the regular Townie's ? .......The wino's that is !”
by Gowerview, SA1
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 8:36PM
“Chris (2020) Holley should resign.
He and his estates team promised 5 or 6 quality retail additions to the city centre before December
( I think he meant 2009 )
The Estates and regeneration have failed dismally in igniting any landmark city centre regeneration.
Rhino and skin spring to mind.”
by Jack, GenQuip Stadium Port Talbot
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 6:23PM
“haha theres nothing in this shop anyway, its awkwardly set out, and have about 2 floors spare. much better at morfa, and its not that far away so all the idiots can shut up!”
by paula, swansea
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 5:12PM
“I am very disappointed that TK max is closing. Swansea town centre is becoming a ghost town. It used to be a pleasure to browse round town now its just depressing..Although if you want a haircut you are spoilt for choice..Please Swansea Council wake up and recognise the demise of the town centre.”
by Mike, Swansea Valley
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 12:56PM
“When a discount store decided to up sticks then it is the final condemnation of a city centre. Chris Holley should hang his head in shame. He complained when David Evans closed but there are more boarded-up shops in Swansea under his leadership than at any other time. He took personal responsibility for the city centre and now he has to take personal responsibility for the terrible state of affairs. I am sick of listening to excuses and how it could all be sorted if only the government or the Assembly did something or other. It is time he accepted teh blame for this disaster that is Swansea city centre and stepped aside for someone else. They could hardly do any worse.”
by Mike, Swansea
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 11:49AM
“For Gods sake EP.
The spin about the TWO shops that have opened in Swansea is beyond belief. If Swansea centre was so great they would be clammering to open shops there. It is awfull!! a real embarresment to every Swansea resident. SORT IT OUT Holley and Co”
by axemdems, Manselton Rubble.
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 10:57AM
“The only BIG name tale tellers to pull out of Swansea should be these hopeless,hapless ,Holley ville creation of an Administration at Crisis Central.The Lib Dem opportunism has finally met it's match in Calamity Central.For goodness sake Councillors ,realize that this City and the market traders and long suffering seniors have had enough.Let a NEW administration be formed and then GO,at your ealiest opportunity.Enough is Enough.”