It's been eight months since beloved department store Debenhams closed its Swansea Quadrant store for good.
Once the beating heart of retail in the city centre, the beloved department store stocked everything from cosmetics, handbags and gifts, to homeware, clothing and wedding dresses, until its sad demise last year.
Owned by British retail company Debenhams plc, which was founded as a single store in London more than 200 years ago, Swansea's Debenhams was one of more than 150 stores across the UK - all of which closed down permanently in 2021 following the company going into administration.
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Whilst the Debenhams name still lives on online, after online fashion retailer Boohoo plugged £55m into the store to keep its stock and re-launch its website, the stores are now a relic of the past, with shutters and signage the only thing remaining at many Debenhams across the UK.
But whilst Swansea's Quadrant shopping centre is crying out for a big-name brand or leading independent store to take on the huge former Debenhams unit, there aren't yet any plans for anything to fill the store.
Management at the Quadrant said they were "in discussions" with businesses about the few empty units at the Quadrant, of which the most noticeable are the former Debenhams unit and the former Game store, while some existing stores were undergoing renovation works to help improve people's shopping experience.
Manager of the Quadrant shopping centre, Lisa Hartley, said: "While the closure of Debenhams has been a huge loss to the Quadrant and the UK High Street, footfall within the Centre has remained stable; with many retailers outperforming targets.
"Over the past year, we have experienced a positive uplift in footfall and many retailers are wanting to further invest in their existing stores within The Quadrant.
"At least four of our stores are exploring re-fits, the most prominent being Ernest Jones; who have recently closed to undergo an impressive, first-for-Wales re-fit. Its re-designed store will bring something really special to the centre, which we know our customers will love.
"The arrival of our four, new retailers in 2021 (The Entertainer, Culture Clothing, Rugby Heaven and Moti), alongside our fantastic pop-up stores over Christmas, have meant that customers have had even more choice within the centre.
"We are already in discussions with businesses about our few, remaining empty units and are confident that with the arrival of Copr Bay and other city centre developments, the centre will grow, more-so over the coming year."
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