S4C sets fresh trend as new Carmarthen headquarters open
THE new headquarters of S4C has opened its doors to staff in Carmarthen. The new base, known as Canolfan S4C, forms part of Yr Egin – a 3,700sq metre building, which along with the Welsh broadcaster, will be a hub for both the community and firms within the creative and digital industries.
Developed and run by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the vision of Yr Egin is to transform and shape the creative industries in south-west Wales and beyond.
The university will launch Yr Egin later in the autumn, and by the end of the year around 100 staff across S4C and other firms from the creative industries, together with building administration staff, will be based at the site in College Road, essentially part of university campus.
S4C currently employs 135 staff split between Cardiff and Caernarfon, in Gwynedd.
Canolfan S4C: Yr Egin is due to be part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal. Staff, both new and some relocating from the Llanishen offices in Cardiff, are moving into the Carmarthen S4C offices this week.
It is expected around 55 positions will relocate to the Canolfan S4C.
The Carmarthen site houses the channel’s corporate, communications, finance, business affairs and legal departments.
S4C head of communications Manon Wyn James said: “This is where the administration side of S4C is based. In Carmarthen, we are on the first floor, with the second floor being given to media firms based across the west Wales area, which we want to work closely with, of course, while the ground floor will be Yr Egin administrative staff, for the building as a whole.”
The message from Yr Egin and S4C is that the community will also play a part in the building and have access to it.
The university will also create new enterprise incubation units, offering access to opportunities, facilities, events and industry networks.
It is already more than 70% occupied, with other media firms expected to sign up in the near future.
Yr Egin’s centre director for the university Carys Ifan said: “We have performance spaces and a theatre here, for seating up to 120 people.
“That will be used for events and can of course be hired out for the community. Fitted with the latest technology, it has 4K and surround sound, and really we wanted it to be future-proof too, as new developments in the industry come along.
“We will also have an editing suite in place soon as well.
“There is also a café that will be open to the public as part of the development and that will open later in the autumn too.
“It has been great seeing the project come to fruition over the recent months and there’s a real buzz about it in Carmarthen. People are interested in it.”
Carmarthen won the bid to become the new headquarters for S4C, beating off competition from Caernarfon.
S4C is also moving some of its studios from Llanishen to the new BBC Cymru Wales headquarters in Cardiff’s Central Square.
However, what the Carmarthen shift for S4C does is turn the notion of large firms having head offices in places like Cardiff and Swansea on its head – proving that being in a city doesn’t need to be the case.
S4C’s corporate and communications director, Elin Morris, relocated from Cardiff to the new headquarters.
“It’s a great area and in terms of recreation and lifestyle, it’s all here.
“Pembrokeshire coast to one side and then easy access to the Brecon Beacons. It makes for a fantastic environment to work in and shows that maybe firms don’t always need to be in cities.”
Eleri Griffiths, 34, who took a communications job with S4C as part of the new development, commutes from Pontarddulais, and said: “For the local economy, having such a headquarters in S4C here is great because it shows other employers and firms that really they can be based anywhere they want.
“And it offers young people in west Wales the chance to stay in the area and work in the creative industry on their doorstep.”
University of Wales Trinity Saint David Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Gwilym Dyfri Jones said: “The university is delighted to welcome S4C staff to the channel’s new headquarters in Carmarthen and would wish to express its best wishes to them in their new workplace.
“I’m sure that they will be extremely happy at Yr Egin, with its state-of-the-art facilities, its attractive working environment and its breathtaking views.
“We are looking forward with great anticipation as a university to the official opening of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin in late October, when all the tenants will be in situ.
“The university will shortly publish an exciting programme of events to celebrate the opening and we sincerely hope that these will be of interest to the people of Carmarthenshire who have been so supportive of the development from its conception.”