Amazing memorabilia unearthed at former Cinema due for redevelopment

Castle Cinema, up until recently has been home to Laserzone – a live action laser game played with special effects, fog, laserbeams and pulse pumping music.

After Laserzone’s relocation to the city centre’s former Iceland store, the building has been cleared revealing evidence if its earlier life as a cinema.

Built in 1913, Castle Cinema was the only building left standing after the blitz during the Nazi’s bombing raids in World War II.

The building was modernised in 1963, however it’s long decline started in the 1970s when it became notorious for showing soft core porn films.

It had a short-lived new lease of life in 1982. The acquisition of Cardiff-based Circle Cinema saw it show Hollywood blockbusters once again.

The cinema’s days were numbered once the neighbouring UCI cinema, now Odeon, in Parc Tawe opened in 1988. The last film shown was “Doc Hollywood” with Michael J Fox in 1991.

Workers have since discovered a treasure trove of cinema memorabilia in the now-empty building, including film posters, cinema equipment and even the old loveseat!

Led by local non-profit housing association Beacon Cymru, formally known as Coastal Housing, work will soon start to give the building a new future.

In partnership with contractors Easy Living Ltd, plans include 30 new apartments and two separate areas for commercial use.

The lower part of the building that fronts on to the Strand is intended to accommodate small scale office use and – in the main elevation facing Worcester Place and the castle – a new commercial unit over two storeys is being created that anticipates a café/restaurant type use.

A new glazed box is proposed that will form part of this unit and front onto the castle and open space.

The scheme is being supported by Swansea Council via Welsh Government funding.

Developers say the scheme has been sensitively designed in recognition of its architectural and historic importance, and aims to preserve as many of the original features as possible, while identifying sustainable uses that will ensure its long-term preservation as a key building in the city.

The council say they will also soon be starting work to revamp the nearby Castle Square into a greener and more welcoming space.

Do you remember watching films at Castle Cinema? Let us know below!

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

All the exciting plans for Swansea in 2025 that form part of £1bn regeneration programme

Led by Swansea Council and due to start in early 2025, work to transform Castle Square will feature an increase in green space including lawns and planting.

A new water feature for interactive play will also be included, along with new outdoor seating areas, a TV screen above a bandstand facility, the retention of public use space and two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses.

Developed by Swansea Council and part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal and Welsh European Funding Office, the new office scheme at 71/72 The Kingsway will be complete in early 2025.

Due to provide space for 600 jobs in sectors like tech and digital, more than 75 per cent of the office space is now under offer and tenants will start to be announced from next month.

Construction work is also anticipated to start next year on a public sector hub at the former Saint David’s Shopping Centre site as part of a partnership between the council and regeneration specialist Urban Splash. Hundreds of council workers and other public sector staff will work there once the building is complete.

Meanwhile, at the former Debenhams unit, talks with a number of prospective retail and other tenants are continuing at pace.

The Y Storfa community hub at the former BHS unit on Oxford Street will also open in 2025. It will include some council services, the city’s main public library, the Swansea office of Careers Wales, the Welsh Glamorgan Archive Service, Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, the South Wales Miners Library and other public services.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said:

“We know how important Swansea city centre is for local residents and the people who work there.

“The council isn’t responsible for setting business rates and attracting shops to buildings we don’t own, but what we can do is to help create a city centre where thousands more people live and work.

“That will then create the footfall that’s needed there to safeguard our existing businesses and attract more shops and other businesses in future, helping to tackle challenges like online shopping.

“This is why office schemes like 71/72 The Kingsway and the public sector hub are so important.

“The private sector is also heavily investing in Swansea, with major schemes like Princess Quarter and the biophilic building also due for completion in 2025, supported by plans to bring the Mond Buildings on Union Street back into us and the opening of the Cosy Club at the Exchange Buildings in the Maritime Quarter.

“These projects and many others will add to everything that’s been achieved in recent years which includes the opening of Swansea Arena and the reopening of both the Albert Hall and the Palace Theatre building.

“It’s all part of our commitment to create a thriving city centre and generate more jobs and opportunities for local people.”

A planning application from Skyline Enterprises is also likely to be determined next year which – subject to approval – would lead to a new outdoor leisure destination on Kilvey Hill.

Other progress will include the council continuing to work with the Ospreys to achieve their ambition of playing at St Helens from the 2025-26 season.

Construction work on a new hotel could start in Swansea by the end of 2025 on land between the arena and the LC, and plans are also in place to improve the entrances to Swansea’s award-winning indoor market.

Work to strengthen and improve the sea defences in Mumbles is also due for completion in 2025.

Other council-led projects that will see progress in 2025 include work to bring the grade II-listed laboratory building at Hafod-Morfa Copperworks back to life.

[Lead image Swansea Council]