Swansea Arena is welcoming its first guests this weekend ahead of its official opening in March.
Trampolene, The Vega Bodegas, Inscape, and The Now became the first to perform at the brand new 3,500 capacity venue on Friday, February 25 as a test event. They will be followed by bands Prosperina, The Orange Circus Band, Cities, Fallen Temples, Pearler, King Goon and Lost Tuesday society on Saturday.
It is all ahead of its official launch with comedian John Bishop on Tuesday, March 15.
READ MORE: New pictures reveal the look of Swansea’s brand new coastal park and inside its cafe restaurant
And now, we are able to give you a first glimpse inside, through these pictures released by Swansea Council, which show the foyer, auditorium and VIP areas.
Swansea Council leader, Rob Stewart, said: “The new images from inside the arena show the exciting progress being made as we head towards next month’s opening of the world class Copr Bay leisure and entertainment destination.
“Copr Bay is a catalyst for further transforming the city centre. Its key features - including the arena, coastal park, new bridge and car park beneath the coastal park - have been delivered for the people of Swansea during the pandemic. This is a significant achievement."
The arena foyer, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, the 1.1-acre coastal park and the 345-space car park beneath the coastal park are due to open to the public early next month.
Other features of Copr Bay phase one, including the new car park on the city centre side of Oystermouth Road, the adjoining apartment development and the new business units on Cupid Way will open in subsequent months. The St David’s multi-storey car park will remain open and operational in the meantime.
The test events featuring local bands at the arena will enable the testing of all aspects of the venue ahead of its official opening, including crowd evacuations as part of safety testing.
Ticket holders arriving by car are asked to park at either the St David’s multi-storey car park, the Quadrant car park or Paxton Street car park. Marshals will be on hand at each of these locations to direct ticket holders to the arena. A designated drop-off and pick-up point for private hire taxis will be available at Paxton Street car park.
Mr Stewart added: "The opening of all other features will follow in the coming months, including local businesses taking up units on Cupid Way.
“Copr Bay has already created hundreds of jobs and opportunities for local people, with many more to come in the months and years ahead.
“The destination is a key part of an on-going £1bn regeneration programme in Swansea that’s transforming our city into the one of the UK’s very best to live, work, study and visit.”
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