NEW LIFE FOR EMPTY BUILDINGS
THREE more empty properties in Llanelli town centre have been transformed and brought back into use with support from Carmarthenshire Council.
The former Stuart Gallagher Carpets buildings in Station Road, number 25, and numbers two and four (adjoining the Mallard estates building) have been refurbished to create modern commercial space and much needed residential units.
Five commercial units have been created with 14 one and twobedroom apartments.
A lift has also been installed in the properties that have two floors.
All the buildings are privately owned and were redeveloped over the past year following grant funding support by the council.
The council continues to invest heavily into improving the town’s appeal and bring more businesses and people in as part of a wider regeneration masterplan for the area.
The redevelopment of the former YMCA building adjacent to Spring Gardens is just one of a series of planned developments across the whole town centre, where millions of pounds are being invested to improve the appearance of the main shopping district and attract more commercial interest and footfall.
Plans for the former YMCA include new commercial units,
offices and flats which are expected to breathe new life into the landmark building.
To date the council has spent £4.5m buying empty shop units from private ownership, renovating and bringing them back in to use at affordable rental levels – all of them currently occupied by independent businesses with tenants in the first and second floor apartments.
Carmarthenshire Council leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “We are thrilled these empty and derelict buildings have been transformed to a high standard with all the work completed during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There are so many positive and exciting developments happening in Llanelli town centre as well as Llanelli as a whole.
“We will continue to drive forward our aspirations to regenerate Llanelli town centre and breathe new life into it.”