Snoop Dogg wants to turn Swansea into Vegas - but some think 'he should leave us alone'

He's the chart-topping American rapper who's taken on the challenge of co-owning Swansea City FC.

And Snoop Dogg's ambitions don't end there - he has announced he wants to turn the city into the "Vegas of Wales".

But the people who live there aren't so sure: "I think he should leave us alone to be honest", one said, with another adding that "Swansea is perfect the way it is".

It comes as Swansea council itself has announced a £20m UK government-funded facelift for its Civic Centre, with proposals for an aquarium, lido, bars and shops.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Snoop said he was "not playing" with his aim to get world-class chefs, hotels and clubs to the city, adding: "I want to bring a little fun for my people in Swansea, but when the players start winning trophies I am gonna need somewhere for them to celebrate in style."

Chart-topping Snoop, whose three-decade career includes 16 Grammy nominations, is a minority owner of Swansea City, alongside American business woman Martha Stewart and Croatian footballer Luka Modrić.

The night before he held a private Vegas-like party in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Swansea filled with local influencers - perhaps an early sign of what his involvement in the club and the city could look like.

Snoop explained: "I've got a 10-year plan to make Swansea the Vegas of Wales.

"I got the connections to get the best chefs, I got connections with businessmen who can finance world-class hotels and clubs."

Explaining the inspiration behind his idea, the 54-year-old father-of-four said: "Vegas is my town, I love Vegas - I lost count of how many good nights I have had there.

"They have the best chefs, the best clubs, the best hotels, the best casinos, and of course the biggest artists in the world playing there. There is a reason why people come from all over the world to party in Vegas."

He also outlined his ambitions to transform Swansea's stadium into a major cultural hub, attracting global music stars who often bypass the city on UK tours.

"I am always thinking with my commercial head on," he said, explaining how "bigger artists" often skip the city.

"All that is about to change, we've got a 20,000 seater stadium and I am going to pull some strings to make sure the best artists in the world start performing there," Snoop added.

But people in Swansea shared mixed opinions about the American star's ambition for the city.

Baya Richards said: "I think he should leave us alone to be honest".

Meanwhile, Craig, from Swansea, said he "wouldn't want to see Swansea become anything like Las Vegas" because "Swansea is perfect the way it is".

"If you're going to make Swansea like Vegas, you're going to have to get rid of all of what makes Wales, Wales and what makes Swansea, Swansea," he said.

Other residents were more open to the idea but admitted they had "mixed" feelings about the proposals.

Oliver said: "I think it's a good idea because it would bring a lot of money in for us", but raised concerns that "it might make it unsafe for people to be out at night".

Some people, however, were more on board, like Cerys who said: "It's a bit of a crazy idea but good on him if he thinks he can do it."

Lauren, from Swansea, said: "He definitely brings the attention that we need. I don't know what his background is in terms of politics, town planning, but he can bring maybe the attention and the funding that we need."

Jonathan Richards, president of Swansea Bay Business Club, welcomed the "ambition and global attention" of Snoop's vision and potential investment.

"It's a strong endorsement of a city we've long known to be thriving, with ongoing development and an ever-evolving business landscape," he said.

Richards added that expanding hospitality, leisure and major events aligned "strongly with the direction we are already heading in", and said the city had the talent and infrastructure to "support bold visions".

On Thursday, the UK government announced a £20m investment to transform Swansea's Civic Centre in the heart of the city.

The proposals include an aquarium, 15 commercial units across the ground and lower-ground floors, cafés, bars, shops, workspaces, spaces for leisure and events, and around 140 residential apartments on the upper floors.

A new saltwater lido on the seafront has also been proposed.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: "This investment will make Swansea even more of a destination for visitors as well as providing better leisure facilities and places to live and work for residents."

Additional reporting by Anaba Khan and Amelia Shone-Adams.