The Albert Hall in Swansea has undergone a major transformation at a cost of nearly £9 million, and the grand unveiling of the revamped iconic building is set to take place this Thursday. The four-storey venue now features a ground-floor food hall and bar, private entertainment space, offices, studios, visitor accommodation, a gym, and a rooftop garden. LoftCo Ltd, the company leading the project, recently held a “soft launch” where food traders tested their new units and guests explored the food hall, similar to Founders & Co on Wind Street.
Situated on the outskirts of the city centre, the Albert Hall is between The Kingsway and De-La-Beche Street. LoftCo Ltd director Simon Baston expressed optimism about the venue’s potential to attract visitors, stating, “The maxim is, build it and they will come.” The restoration of the Albert Hall, which dates back to 1864 when it opened as a public assembly hall and concert venue, was necessitated after years of neglect following its closure as a cinema and bingo hall in 2007.
With support from Swansea Council and a £5.6 million Welsh Government grant, LoftCo secured the necessary permissions to revitalise the Grade II-listed building. The new layout of the venue can accommodate up to 450 people on the ground floor and 100 in private entertainment spaces above. The restoration project involved installing a new roof and steel frame, alongside refurbishing the exterior to bring the historic building back to life.
The Albert Hall has attracted various tenants including food hall operators like The Pizza Boyz and XO, owned by former MasterChef finalist Larkin Cen. The venue aims to offer diverse food options including Italian, Greek, Indian cuisine, and doughnuts and milkshakes. The company also plans to provide serviced accommodation for visitors spending several days in the area, addressing the need for additional lodging options in Swansea.
The project has caused some disruption to local businesses on Craddock Street, but it is anticipated that the new venue will boost footfall in the area. The Welsh Government has welcomed the transformation of heritage buildings like the Albert Hall, emphasising the importance of bringing disused structures back into active use for the overall regeneration of the community. The reopening of the Albert Hall signifies a significant step in preserving Swansea’s architectural history while revitalising the local economy.