Second phase repairs start at Llanelli Town Hall

Llanelli Town Hall is to be scaffolded for at least six months while the second phase of essential repairs are carried out.

Specialist contractors need access to the roof and clock tower, where around £360,000 of work is to be undertaken to repair and reinstate lead, steel and stonework. Access to the building will be maintained throughout the works.

Carmarthenshire County Council has a legal responsibility to maintain the grade II listed building, which was built between 1892 and 1896.

Having suffered the effects of the weather over its 100 year life, the building now needs a complete redesign of the roof to prevent water ingress to the attic areas, as well as the replacement of lead on the domed roof of the cupola – the clock tower – and replacement steel lintels. The basement railings will also be renovated as part of the scheme.

Internal works to repair damage caused by the leaking roof is almost complete, and decoration work to put the building back to its former glory will be finished in the summer once all repair work has been undertaken.

The building, designed by William Griffiths in early 1890, currently houses offices for council staff, together with meeting rooms used by the council, its partners, local groups and for civil wedding ceremonies.

Couples planning to use the hall for wedding ceremonies have been advised of the schedule of works.

The work, due for completion in June, will be carried out by council framework contractor John Weaver under the guidance of the council’s Building Services team and CADW, and will allow heritage apprentices a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the handywork of 19th century tradesmen.

Cllr Colin Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, said: “As custodians of this impressive grade II listed building, we have a duty to ensure it is kept in a good state of repair and fit to survive the next 100 years. It is far from ideal to be spending this kind of money in this financial climate, but it has been budgeted for, and we hope people will understand our legal responsibilities and appreciate that we are preserving a piece of heritage that is, in many ways, the focal point of Llanelli.”