Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre has won its first prestigious building award.
The iconic theatre, situated in the heart of Llanelli’s new cultural quarter, captured the imagination of the judging panel at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Wales Awards, winning the tourism and leisure category.
Judges said: “Ffwrnes is the key building that has regenerated what was a very run down part of Llanelli. Further to this building being completed it has attracted a great number of further buildings commissioned and erected with private finance that has created considerable interest and tourism to the area.”
Winning a RICS Award puts Ffwrnes firmly on the map as an iconic building of exceptional quality. It was built as part of the town’s £60million cultural regeneration, becoming the first new theatre to be built in West Wales for over 25 years. Designed by Lawray Architects on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council, and built by TRJ Ltd, the theatre boasts a 500-seater auditorium, as well as conference facilities and a café.
The new build, featuring an illuminated fly-tower which is visible across large parts of the town, integrates seamlessly with two Grade II listed chapels, providing studio and arts space.
Cllr Colin Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, whose team commissioned and oversaw the construction, said: “This is fantastic news, and a great achievement from all involved. We are proud to have delivered a high-quality building which has settled in so well to the surroundings of Llanelli’s new cultural quarter.”
Cllr Meryl Gravell, Executive Board Member for Regeneration, added: “The Ffwrnes Theatre has gone from strength to strength, and has become an iconic venue which is loved by the local community, as well as the visitors it draws from other parts of Wales. We’ve also had fantastic feedback from production companies who have said it is one of the most technically advanced anywhere in the UK, which is why we are able to attract such high-quality acts for people to enjoy.”
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