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Carmarthen

Believed to be the oldest town in Wales, the market town of Carmarthen sits on the River Towy, one of the longest rivers in Wales. With a population of 9,100, the majority of the age population falls into the 30-45 age group. Deprivation and unemployment levels are similar to the Wales and Carmarthenshire averages. A Market town that’s proud of its ability to fuse the historic with the modern, meaning that it can compete as a large shopping attraction, while continuing to nod towards a past full of intrigue, uproar and myth. According to Welsh legend, Carmarthen is believed to be the birthplace of the famous wizard Merlin, who plays a significant role in Arthurian mythology and with a castle that was captured by Llywelyn the Great and Owain Glyndŵr, Carmarthen sits prominently on any historical map. Carmarthen has a bustling market that has been operating for centuries, offering a variety of goods, including local produce, crafts, and antiques. With a mix of small shops, chain stores, cinema, theatre, hotels and restaurants Carmarthen is a great place to shop, dine out and stay.

 

Discover Carmarthen

Carmarthen Recovery Masterplan

This recovery master plan has been commissioned for Carmarthen town centre by Carmarthenshire County Council (Carmarthenshire CC) in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The masterplan reviews existing regeneration activity and provides a fresh focus on the priorities and the strategy for recovery and future growth.

  • Safeguard, protect and strengthen the regional role of Carmarthen town centre as a destination for retail, leisure, hospitality, culture, employment, education and residential.
  • Concentrate activity on the central core to avoid ‘hollowing out’ and maximise opportunities for a greater mix of uses through the reuse and re-purposing of empty and underused buildings in an area undergoing significant change.
  • Support and encourage small and independent businesses to develop, grow and expand in the town centre.
  • Expand the public sector presence in the town centre, including opportunities to deliver new service provision (health and well-being, leisure, local services/advice hwb, residential) and collaboration with third sector organisations, to generate footfall ‘anchors’ and utilise empty premises.
  • Encourage the growth of the outdoor market to include a greater number of stalls and potential for a new theme/style of markets.
  • Ensure improvements to the quality of outdoor spaces, especially Jacksons Lane, to deliver a safe, attractive, inviting and stimulating town centre environment that supports the hospitality sector and evening economy.
  • Improve pedestrian and cycle linkages throughout the town centre, many of which are of poor quality.
  • Establish a SMART town with businesses making best use of digital to grow their market reach, turnover and footfall.
  • Initiatives that ensure a range of stakeholders are involved in delivering improvements for the town centre.
  • Support for the use and promotion of the Welsh language and culture

 

Carmarthen Recovery Masterplan

Refreshing Town Centre Fund

Fund offers up to £2k per property, covering 80% of eligible costs, to enhance shopfronts and contribute to the visual appeal of town centres. Property freeholders and leaseholders in town centres can apply for funding to support a range of improvements including external decoration, painting, lighting installations, gutter cleansing and more. By improving the appearance of commercial properties, this fund aims to create more attractive and welcoming streetscapes that benefit businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

Here is a selection of business's whose premises have benefitted from the funding offered by the Refreshing Town Centre Fund.

1 -  Zen Club

Zen Club, based in Unit 2 Jacksons Lane, has benefited from the Refreshing Town Centre Fund to carry out property improvements. With total project costs of £2,500.00, a grant allocation of £2,000.00 (80% intervention rate) was awarded. these changes not only benefit the business but also enhance the surrounding streetscape, contributing to a more cohesive and appealing town centre.

2 - CWRW

Local craft beer and creative arts bar, CWRW, located at 32 King Street has received support from the Refreshing Town Centre Fund to carry out key premises improvements. With total project costs of £2,700.00, the project was awarded a grant allocation of £2,000.00 (74.07% intervention rate). These upgrades help enhance the building’s appearance and contribute to the regeneration of the town centre as well as help the bar standout.

3 - James Music

Located at 4 Notts Square, this local music shop has benefited from the Refreshing Town Centre Fund to carry out refurbishment works to their façade. with a total project cost of £1,484.00, the project received a grant allocation of £1,187.20 (80% intervention rate). These improvements have enhanced the property’s appearance and contributed positively to the vibrancy of the town centre.

4 - Furrifingers

Local puppet makers, FurriFingers, sought out improvements to their unit at 3 Nott Square, supported through the Refreshing Town Centre Fund. With total project costs of £1,350.00, a grant allocation of £812.80 was awarded, representing the remainder of the maximum grant award. Improvements to the exterior have reinforced the business’s brand presence and created a polished, customer-ready frontage.

5 - The Rose and Crown Inn

The Rose and Crown Inn, located at 117 Lammas Street, received support from the Refreshing Town Centre Fund to carry out property improvements. With total project costs of £5,333.42, the project was awarded a grant allocation of £1,826.51 (34.25% intervention rate). the improvements have made the premises more welcoming, supporting a positive first impression for customers

 

 

 

 

Town Centre Vibrancy Fund (SPF)

 

Launched in 2024, targeted £130,000 grant scheme supports revitalisation of vacant ground floor commercial properties in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli, helping to transform empty units into thriving business spaces.

 

Since launching in December 2024 has brought 15 vacant properties back into use through short-term leases, giving entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to trial their ventures in town centre premises.

 

 

 

 

Vacant Properties

Carmarthenshire County Council currently don’t have any properties within Camarthen town centre available for lease, please check with us in the future for updates and availabilities. See the full list of Council properties for lease across the county.

Carmarthenshire County Council Contact Details

If you would like to get in touch with the authority regarding Carmarthen Town Centre please feel free to contact our officers that cover the centre and they will be more than happy to help:

Towns@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

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