Take a walk through Swansea city centre right now and you can't help but notice all the empty shops.
There's still plenty there and the tally of vacant units in the city is probably no better or worse than similar-sized city equivalents elsewhere in the UK as the retail sector continues to struggle.
But no-one wants to see holes in the high street and when we walked the streets of Swansea we counted 29 empty units around the city centre and The Kingsway.
In December 2017 we reported that almost a fifth of shops and commercial units in Swansea were empty or unused, according to figures from a survey of business premises.
But that figure rose when including properties in places like The Kingsway and other nearby streets and areas, including Mansel Street, Orchard Street, High Street and Parc Tawe.
We've taken pictures of every empty shop unit in the core city centre area – comprising Oxford Street and the streets leading off it, and The Kingsway – and and looked at what some of them used to be.
Here's what we found.
The Kingsway
The business with the black frontage in The Kingsway has also been Bucca's bar and restaurant but has been empty since 2014.
McDonalds was in the Kingsway until 2011.
Even though Lloyd's Bank still remains in Oxford Street, Lloyds TSB used to be situated in the Kingsway. It's gone now.
Another bank that used to be in the Kingsway – this empty building was Barclays until 2016.
Recruitment agency Blue Arrow was in this building until 2017.
This building housed health and beauty business Pravada for a number of years.
As well as a Ty Hafan charity shop, this unit was also Belle bridal wear.
The Co-operative Bank also used to be on the Kingsway.
These shops which are situated in College Street, at its junction with Princess Way, have been a number of different businesses over the years.
One of them was USA nails in 2008 and it then became another nail shop until 2014. A bridal shop was also here until 2011.
This was Crossfire up until 2017 when it closed.
This formal hire shop has now relocated to another location.
Cash Solutions was also in College Street.
Oxford Street
This 'shop' in Oxford Street is made up to look like a fancy computer tech outlet thanks to some window-sized pretend shop posters but a real Card Factory shop used to be there before closing down.
Project Fashion in Oxford Street is another clothes shop that eventually shut.
This used to be clothes shop Elvi in 2008, then it was an STA travel agent before recently closing down.
Portland Street
This unit has been empty for a number of years but it used to be corner shop More Local.
Banks seem to have been a particular casualty – this was an Alliance & Leicester in 2008, which then became Santander in 2011. It's been empty since 2014.
Singleton Street
Morgan's hair design used to be here.
As well as Booze & News, this also used to be a newsagent in 2008.
This empty unit used to be a shop selling flowers, gifts and accessories.
Union Street
This barber used to be in Union Street.
There was another Barclays Bank branch in Union Street.
JJB Sports was situated in Union Street but the sports shop chain was placed into administration in 2012. Perfect Home, a chain retailer of home furniture and appliances which replaced it, also closed down.
Plymouth Street
In Plymouth Street this used to be clothes shop Attica and surf shop in2surf.
Then it was a gift shop called Bellaroma in 2016, as well as a cupcake shop.
Picton Arcade
These are the empty shops in Picton Arcade which have been a number of different businesses over the years.
Shoppers Walk
In Shoppers Walk there is also this empty unit.
Despite the numerous empty shops, Swansea is in the process of a major transformation.
Other well-known High Street stores that have disappeared
Over the years many shops have been and gone in Swansea city centre, some of these include:
1. Woolworths
2. C+A
3. Co-op living
4. TK Max
5. Littlewoods
6. Disney shop
7. Burtons
8. David Evans
Council leader Rob Stewart said: "Retail remains very volatile across the UK.
"Swansea, like other cities, has been affected. However Swansea has a massive transformation and regeneration programme under way, partly funded by the £1.3bn Swansea bay city deal
"We are in the process of creating modern attractive flexible retail, food & beverage and leisure space which will help attract new independent and national traders.
"This is hugely important for job creation and for the future economy of the city. We need more people living in, working in, and enjoying the city centre.
"The £100m digital arena development which is already under way is a catalyst for the transformation which will see nearly 70% of the city centre redeveloped, refurbished or rebuilt by 2020-21."
The arena will be created next to the LC leisure centre, while The Kingsway is in the process of being transformed with new office space, a student development, and a new road layout including wider pavements, green spaces and public areas.
There are further plans to create new shops, cafes and restaurants, along with other leisure attractions as part of the St David's development between St Mary's Church and Oystermouth Road.
"I would urge people to visit the city and see the change for themselves," added Cllr Stewart.
"We need to continue to support our city during this major transformation. Change is happening now and the pace will accelerate next year.
"By 2020-21 Swansea city centre will be a significantly improved environment."
