Bringing Empty Spaces Back to Life: Dawsons Partners with Urban Foundry to Support Pop-Up Wales
Across Swansea and beyond, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Pop-Up Wales, an initiative delivered by Urban Foundry, is breathing new life into empty buildings, turning vacant units into hubs of creativity, enterprise, and community activity.
From Swansea and Caerphilly to Bridgend and Carmarthen, the programme is rethinking the role of our high streets, proving that even the most overlooked properties can spark new ideas and opportunities when placed in the right hands.
What Is Pop-Up Wales?
Pop-Up Wales makes short-term, low-cost use of empty buildings possible by connecting local authorities, landlords, and entrepreneurs with flexible, accessible spaces. These temporary units become launchpads for start-ups, makers, social enterprises, artists, and grassroots organisations.
Since its launch, the initiative has activated 94 spaces, with 31 opened this year alone and a projected 99 by the end of 2025. Each one has helped businesses test concepts, build confidence, and grow sustainably, all while injecting colour, creativity, and renewed energy into town and city centres.
At its core, Pop-Up Wales reflects Urban Foundry’s mission for creative regeneration. It’s about practical solutions, imaginative thinking, and putting people and purpose back at the heart of place-making.
A Partnership That Makes a Difference
At Dawsons we are proud to be able to support Pop-Up Wales in Swansea forming a collaborative relationship between Urban Foundry and our Dawsons Commercial team. By identifying suitable vacant units and working directly with landlords, our Commercial team has helped create opportunities for entrepreneurs and community groups looking for space to develop their ideas.
“Pop-Up Wales works because organisations like Dawsons see the power of collaboration. They’ve thrown their support behind the initiative, helping us turn empty buildings into spaces where ideas, businesses, and communities can grow. Together, we’re showing that small interventions can make a big difference to people and place.”
- Tara Tarapetian, Urban Foundry Director
For Dawsons, the partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting local business, encouraging innovation, and playing a role in shaping vibrant, sustainable communities.
James Dawson, Partner at Dawsons, added:
“Working with Urban Foundry has allowed us to be part of something genuinely transformative. Seeing these units move from vacant to vibrant, often within weeks, has been inspiring. The businesses and community projects that have taken root in these spaces bring life, colour, and a real sense of possibility back into our high streets, and we’re proud to help make that happen.”
Pop-Up Success Stories in Swansea
Here are just a few of the spaces Dawsons and Urban Foundry have brought to life together:
7–8 Caer Street – Perago
Perago used the space as a pop-up office as they explored what post-Covid working could look like. The street-level position offered visibility, collaboration, and connection, ultimately helping the team refine their approach and secure a long-term base elsewhere.
73 Newton Road, Mumbles – Wild Ones Cut Flower Co.
Breathing new life into one of Mumbles’ “top-shop” units, Wild Ones transformed the space into a bright, colourful florist. Their beautifully painted frontage and creative displays quickly became a community favourite, proving that small spaces can deliver big impact.
5 Caer Street – Kylie Rose Boutique
A well-established prom dress retailer found the perfect home right in Swansea city centre. The move boosted footfall and visibility, and the business continues to thrive today as Prom Heaven UK, ensuring the unit remains an active part of the high street.
3 Walter Road – Queertawe
Just off the edge of Swansea’s former promenade, this unit became a welcoming, inclusive home for the Queertawe project. The space now supports their growing creative community and offers a safe environment for connection and collaboration.
A Shared Vision for Swansea’s Future
The partnership between Urban Foundry and Dawsons demonstrates how collaboration between landlords, agents, and social enterprises can create real change, not only for businesses, but for communities and high streets as a whole.
By helping underused spaces become platforms for innovation, the Pop-Up Wales scheme is proving that regeneration doesn’t always need massive redevelopment. Sometimes, it simply needs imagination, opportunity, and the right people working together.
To discuss your commercial property needs please contact our Commercial team by email: commercial@dawsonsproperty.co.uk or by phone on 01792 478907, to view current available commercial properties we have click HERE.
For more information on Pop Up Wales click HERE and for further information on the work of Urban Foundry, visit their website HERE