Sir Terry Matthews visits County

Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews has paid his first visit to Carmarthenshire since being appointed Chair of the Swansea Bay City Region Board.

Sir Terry met Carmarthenshire councillors, officers and business people at the Castell Howell base on the Cross Hands Food Park to discuss his vision for the Cross Hands Growth Zone.

The meeting covered promoting the Growth Zone as a priority for the City Region, highlighting the business expertise within the county and reaffirming Carmarthenshire County Council’s commitment to assisting business growth in the county and region.

The Growth Zone offers a range of development opportunities including Cross Hands Food Park, Cross Hands Business Park, and the Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site.

The Food Park on the western side of the A48 has development opportunities and successful developments such as by Castell Howell. The site has had significant investment over recent years with a Joint Venture arrangement between the county council and Welsh Government.

The Business Park has major firms such as Leekes and Happy Homes Furnishers with vacant plots available for further development.

The Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site is allocated mainly for employment use with the potential for a hotel.

Council director of regeneration Dave Gilbert said: “I’m really pleased that Sir Terry Matthews has visited Carmarthenshire. He has lots of ideas to move the economy forward, in particular the importance of broadband connectivity across the region.”

Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Sir Terry was inspirational and has a vision to take us forward. The Cross Hands Growth Area has so much to offer and is perfectly placed for ease of access.”