Morriston and Carmarthen regeneration projects praised by Senedd

Local projects in Morriston and Carmarthen have been praised by Members of the Senedd as inspiring examples of local efforts to revitalise town centres.

A new report published by the Senedd Public Account and Public Administration Committee today, Thursday 25 January 2024, looks at how the Welsh Government’s support for town centre regeneration is working across Wales.

The Committee discovered positive examples of projects to revive Morriston high street and redevelop the old Debenhams building in Carmarthen town centre. But, the picture across Wales is inconsistent, and the Committee is urging Welsh Government to do more to make sure that people involved in town centre regeneration, from local authorities to community groups, feel confident to make big decisions that are right for their areas.

“We were encouraged and impressed by our visits to Morriston, Carmarthen, Mold and Wrexham during this inquiry. It was a pleasure to hear about the positive work being done, but sobering to hear about the challenges that each location was also facing,” says Mark Isherwood MS, Chair of the Senedd Public Account and Public Administration Committee.

“Welsh Government needs to drive and deliver a new vision for our high streets. That means delivering a transport system that is simple and easy to use; a revised taxation system for businesses; financial incentives to encourage new businesses; and a new approach to tackling empty properties that blight our town centres.

“Most of all, local authorities, town councils and community groups must be empowered to make big decisions that are right for their areas, with reassurance that resources and expertise will be made available at all levels. Welsh Government must give people this confidence, if Wales is to achieve the regeneration our town centres so badly need.”

The Committee heard about plans to repurpose the Debenhams building in Carmarthen city centre.

The Committee members met with officials from Carmarthenshire County Council at the former Debenham’s store, the home of the new Carmarthen Hwb. The empty building is being transformed into a leisure hub, with health, wellbeing learning and cultural services all under one roof, and provide a mix of services alongside shops on the high street.

In Morriston, they took a walk along Woodfield Street to learn about the changing picture of businesses on the high street. They also visited the Morriston Tabernacle Church and the Sacred Heart Centre, both of which are being used as a community resource for local community groups.

The Committee’s report contains eight recommendations for Welsh Government on how it can better deliver town centre regeneration across Wales. The Welsh Government will now respond to the Committee’s report, and it will be debated by the whole Senedd in due course.