Fforestfach

infobox UK place
country = Wales
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 51.64
longitude=-04.00
official_name =Fforestfach
population =
unitary_wales= Swansea
lieutenancy_wales= West Glamorgan
constituency_westminster = Swansea West
constituency_welsh_assembly=Swansea West
post_town= SWANSEA
postcode_district = SA5
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01792
os_grid_reference= SS613956

Fforestfach (or Fforest Fach) is a suburban district of Swansea, Wales. It lies within the Cockett ward. The area is residential combined with light industry and out of town shopping due to its proximity to the M4 motorway and several dual carriageways. Famous names like Marks and Spencer and Walkers Crisps had factories in the area but they have now ceased their operations here. Local amenities include the premises of the City of Swansea Gymnastic Club.

Retail parks

Fforestfach is home to an out of town shopping complex centred around Pontarddulais Road in the Cadle area to the west. Out of town shopping complexes such as Parc Fforestfach in the west of Swansea have been blamed for the continued decline of the City Centre. Paradoxically in November 2006 a new Park and Ride scheme was introduced in Fforestfach to ferry shoppers into the heart of Swansea city centre.

Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

The shopping area to the northeast of Pontarddulais Road has existed since the 1970s and is now called "Pontarddulais Road Retail Park". Retailers at Pontarddulais Road Retail Park include Argos Extra, Carpetright, Currys, Dreams, Dunelm Mill, Land of Leather, Laura Ashley, Marks and Spencer Food and MFI.

Parc Fforestfach

The area to the southwest of Carmarthen Road/Pontarddulais Road, called Parc Fforest-Fach, developed in the early 2000s. It suffers from parking problems during peak hours. The Tesco Extra store at Parc Fforestfach had a gross floorspace of 112,000 sq ft in 2003 (and has since been expanded) making it the largest in Wales. [http://www.igd.org.uk/analysis/news/news_detail.asp?articleid=667] Some of the other retailers at the site include Borders, Starbucks inside the Borders store, Dixons, Marks & Spencer, Boots, JJB Sports, Next, Clarks, Outfit, River Island, New Look, The Carphone Warehouse, Pizza Hut and Thomson Holidays.

wansea West Business Park

Swansea West Business Park is the largest post-war industrial estate in Swansea. [ [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5962 City and County of Swansea - Strategic Employment ] ] It is the location of 140 businesses employing 1,500 people. There was once a greyhound stadium based at the site, which is now closed and earmarked for re-development.

One visitor attraction at the site is a chocolate factory aptly named "The Chocolate Factory". It has guides and exhibits showing the process of making chocolate. [http://www.michton.com/tours.htm]

Listed buildings

Grade II listed buildings in Fforestfach include: [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1524 City and County of Swansea: Listed Building Index] ]
*Capel Bethlehem including attached Vestry Block on Carmarthen Road
*Carmarthen Road War Memorial
*Walker Snack Food Factory on Pontarddulais Road

References

External links

* [http://www.swanseawestbusiness.co.uk/Default.aspx Swansea West Business Park]
* [http://www.thechocfactory.com/ The Chocolate Factory]