Building's new name points to the future - with memories of the past

Swansea Council's new community hub - in Oxford Street's former BHS building - will be known as Y Storfa, the Welsh word for "store".

The name aims to offer an affectionate look at the site's past and to point the way to its future use as a place where people can learn, get information and advice, attend events and access library and archive collections stored there.

As home to the new main city centre library and to the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Y Storfa will drive footfall for city centre businesses.

Facilities will include an exhibition space, lecture theatre, café, children's library and activity area. Advice on offer will include information on housing and benefits.

People and information are key to Y Storfa's brand  - as they are to the building. The brand-mark brings together information - in form of the well-known "i" logo - and people. Its colours reflect the city's diversity and the building's aim to create a welcoming environment for people to meet and benefit from social interaction, activities, learning and support.

The council is working on the project with contractor Kier Construction and others. Y Storfa's branding is the work of Llansamlet-based design agency Waters Creative.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: "It's great that a Swansea company has helped us develop the distinctive and thoroughly modern brand for this high-profile project."

Waters Creative founding director Rachael Wheatley said: "The brand indicates that the building is a community space, open to all, a building that's attractive, bilingual and accessible."

Y Storfa is part of the council's £1bn regeneration programme. It'll be a central facility for people who wish to access key public services. Some external agencies set to have bases there are due to be announced soon. 

Work is already underway on transforming Swansea's former BHS and Miss Selfridge, names that disappeared from high streets across the UK in recent years.  

Image Part of the branding for Swansea city centre's public services community hub.