Robbie Savage visits Llanelli

Former Wales footballer Robbie Savage has toured Llanelli to see the work being done to regenerate the local economy.

Robbie, now also well known as a Strictly Come Dancing competitor, and a business partner are pursuing ventures in Carmarthenshire including a hotel development close to the Ffos Las Racecourse, which recently received outline planning permission.

Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell hosted Robbie, business partner and former Wales nutritionist and equipment manager Tony Quaglia, planning consultant Stuart Owen, and architect Paul Hutchinson on a visit to the Hub in Stepney Street where Town Centre Manager Andrew Shufflebotham outlined the projects the county council is involved with.

Mr Shufflebotham said: “We have £60m in investment coming together. There is the £4m investment in the Library, the cinema in East Gate where the Odeon has bought the interest and it could become their flagship in the region, there’s Nando’s, and a brand new theatre at Y Ffwrnes.

“Town centres have to change and become more leisure oriented and 24/7.”

Robbie Savage said: “The developments and plans for Llanelli look really good and we want to be a part of moving the local economy forward.

“Ffos Las Racecourse will complement our plans for development. As well as the hotel we are looking at the idea of a care village on our land. We have 18 acres behind the hotel site so there is scope for a lot of things.”

Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “There are so many exciting developments going forward in Llanelli and Carmarthenshire and I am delighted that Robbie Savage is investing in our county.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to show him what is going forward and the scope there is for further developments.”

Caption: Robbie Savage and Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell at the Hub looking at the plans for East Gate.