The historic Palace Theatre in Swansea has officially reopened, unveiling a new purpose as Tramshed Tech’s latest base, a dynamic workspace for tech, digital, and creative enterprises. This milestone is part of Swansea’s ambitious £1 billion regeneration initiative, reshaping the city’s landscape.
Built in 1888, the six-storey landmark has been meticulously restored over three years in a £6.9 million project funded by Swansea Council, with support from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme. Its reopening signals a transformative moment for the city, with the building’s original architectural charm thoughtfully preserved. Iconic features like the decorative iron balcony, original Ebbw Vale brickwork, and floor tiles have been carefully maintained, while the theatre’s stage has been redesigned as a unique event and collaboration space.
The restoration, carried out by Swansea Council in collaboration with R&M Williams, GWP Architecture, Hydrock (now Stantec), and TC Consult, has brought new life to the building, making it a centrepiece for High Street’s ongoing revitalisation.
Speaking about the building’s revival, Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Investment and Tourism, stated: “As part of the council’s ongoing £1bn regeneration of the city, the restored Palace Theatre building will be a catalyst for further improvements to the High Street area – where tens of millions of pounds have already been invested. It’ll also provide a significant boost for the whole city centre, which is already benefiting from the successful delivery of other major schemes such as Swansea Arena and the Albert Hall. There’s more to come too, with projects such as 71/72 Kingsway, Y Storfa, and the Biophilic Building well under way.”
The Welsh Government has also recognised the theatre’s restoration as pivotal to Swansea’s urban renewal. Jayne Bryant, Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, noted: “It’s wonderful to see how our Transforming Towns programme has supported the restoration of this iconic building in the heart of the city centre. The redevelopment of the historic Palace Theatre is a crucial catalyst to regenerating Swansea’s High Street and will help encourage economic growth and opportunities for small businesses. I can’t wait to see how this project will benefit both businesses and the local community alike.”
Now renamed Tramshed Tech, the building offers state-of-the-art workspaces with flexible coworking options, private offices, meeting rooms, and event spaces. There’s also a new independent coffee shop, Da, open to the public, all fully equipped with high-speed connectivity and amenities tailored to support modern businesses.
Louise Harris, CEO at Tramshed Tech, highlighted the significance of this transformation for Swansea’s business community, saying: “Today marks an exciting new chapter for both Swansea’s business community and this beloved landmark. This remarkable transformation has been a collaborative effort, and what’s been created is space where history meets innovation – where local entrepreneurs can collaborate, grow, and shape the future of business in Swansea. The revival of the Palace Theatre demonstrates what we can achieve together, preserving Welsh heritage while fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship.”
To celebrate its opening, Tramshed Tech is running several launch promotions, including 50% off bookings with code SWANSEA50, part-time coworking memberships from £99 per month, and two months’ free office space with a 12-month contract. A December offer also provides customers with 25% off their next booking.
Beyond providing a workspace, Tramshed Tech is committed to fostering Swansea’s innovation ecosystem through comprehensive business support programmes. These initiatives offer training in areas such as product market fit, investor readiness, intellectual property, and building a data room, along with networking and mentorship opportunities. The Palace Theatre is set to become a genuine hub for growth and innovation, supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
The first major event in the revitalised theatre, From Swansea Start-up to Amazon Acquisition: The Veeqo Journey, featuring Veeqo Founder and CEO Matt Warren, is scheduled for tomorrow, 8 November. This event will showcase Swansea’s potential as a hub for tech innovation and business success.
With its blend of heritage and cutting-edge facilities, the restored Palace Theatre now stands as a beacon of Swansea’s ongoing transformation and commitment to a thriving future for local businesses and the community.
