Swansea’s newest landmark, Y Storfa, has officially opened its doors, marking a major milestone in the city’s £1 billion regeneration programme and breathing new life into the former BHS department store in the city centre.
The transformation has turned a once vacant retail unit into a modern, multi-purpose cultural and community hub designed to serve residents, visitors and future generations.
Y Storfa now houses a main public library, children's library, secure archive for historic documents, exhibition and event spaces, learning facilities and welcoming public areas that promote education, engagement and accessibility. Other services based there include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice and the South Wales Miners' Library.
Thousands of visitors are expected to pass through the building each year.
Swansea-based specialist Plexus FS was appointed to design and install the building’s fire, life safety and security systems as part of the wider construction programme led by Kier Construction, working through CMB Engineering and Highadmit Projects.
The team mobilised in February 2025 and completed handover in November, ahead of the public opening on 1 December.
Plexus FS delivered a fully integrated package covering fire detection, emergency voice communication, access control, intruder protection, CCTV and inclusive hearing systems.
The solution provides rapid incident detection, controlled access between public and staff areas, strong site visibility for facilities teams and clear communication during any emergency. This joined-up approach protects visitors, staff and valuable archive materials while supporting smooth daily operation in a busy city centre environment.
Accessibility formed a core part of the design, ensuring visitors with hearing support needs can engage fully with exhibitions, learning spaces and events. All systems were configured to remain scalable and future-ready, giving the building long-term resilience as usage evolves.
Steve Lemon, Project Lead at Plexus FS, said:
“Y Storfa is a major addition to Swansea’s cultural landscape. Projects of this scale demand absolute confidence in safety systems from the outset. Our team delivered under tight deadlines without compromising standards, and that is something we take great pride in.”
He added:
“Following our work at 71 and 72 Kingsway, the Palace Theatre, Swansea Arena and our ongoing works at Biophilic, it is rewarding to continue supporting Swansea’s regeneration with systems that protect people, property and long-term investment.”
As the regeneration of Swansea City Centre continues to gather momentum, the use of local businesses such as Plexus is a welcome fillip, as Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, explained.
“It is excellent to see Swansea-based businesses delivering high-profile projects right in the heart of the city,” he said. “Keeping skills, jobs and investment local strengthens the economy and supports sustainable growth. Y Storfa shows how local expertise can successfully deliver complex, prestigious developments for the benefit of the whole community.”
