Demolitions planned as part of town’s regeneration
A RUNDOWN former nightclub is one of three buildings in Llanelli town centre that could be demolished to make way for new developments.
The former Circles building in Park Street, which has stood empty and derelict for many years, has recently been bought by Carmarthenshire County Council from private ownership and they have just lodged plans to knock it down.
The former Siop y Werin on Market Street, and a row of buildings known as Crown Precinct – situated behind the newly renovated Griffiths Arcade – could also be demolished if plans are approved.
Demolishing these empty buildings are part of the council’s wider aspirations for Llanelli Town Centre to breathe new life back into the town.
The council has driven forward several regeneration schemes to support town centre businesses including a £4million investment to buy empty premises and development sites from private ownership as part of its Opportunity Street scheme, supported by Welsh Government.
Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole has been at the forefront of Llanelli’s regeneration plans as the chair of a Taskforce he established in 2015.
“We have spent the last 18 months or so driving forward our aspirations to regenerate Llanelli town centre, and these demolitions – if approved – will be the catalyst for more development and better things to come,” he said.
“We are very much taking hold of the reins by using our own funding, and grant funding from Welsh Government, to purchase empty and unused buildings from private ownership and bringing them back in to use wherever possible.
“Whilst these buildings may hold good memories for many people, due to their poor structural state or disrepair, there is little more we can do than knock them down and make way for developments that are fitting for the town centre. We look forward to making way for better things.”
Pictured: Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole pictured outside the former Circles nightclub and Siop y Werin, Llanelli town centre, which could be demolished if planning permission is granted
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