Ten Towns
Ten Towns Programme
The aim of our Ten Towns Programme is to support the economic recovery and growth of the following rural towns across the County.
- Cross Hands
- Cwmaman
- Kidwelly
- Laugharne
- Llandeilo
- Llandovery
- Llanybydder
- Newcastle Emlyn
- St Clears
- Whitland
The initiative was first established following on from the Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward Plan, which sets out a number of key recommendations to support the regeneration of rural Carmarthenshire.
An economic growth plan has been developed for each town following local stakeholder consultation.
We have developed a new range of opportunities as a direct response to discussions and consultations held with stakeholders to support the sustainability and growth opportunities across the County’s rural market towns.
Ten Towns Programme
The aim of our Ten Towns Programme is to support the economic recovery and growth of the following rural towns across the County.
- Cross Hands
- Cwmaman
- Kidwelly
- Laugharne
- Llandeilo
- Llandovery
- Llanybydder
- Newcastle Emlyn
- St Clears
- Whitland
The initiative was first established following on from the Moving Rural Carmarthenshire Forward Plan, which sets out a number of key recommendations to support the regeneration of rural Carmarthenshire.
An economic growth plan has been developed for each town following local stakeholder consultation.
We have developed a new range of opportunities as a direct response to discussions and consultations held with stakeholders to support the sustainability and growth opportunities across the County’s rural market towns.
Capital Development Fund
As part of the Ten Towns programme, vacant premises across the County's rural market towns could be eligible for financial support of up to £50,000 to re-develop premises in the town centre which are currently in a state of disrepair and not being utilised.
This is a targeted fund for premises located in designated areas of each rural market town.
Applications from premises located outside of each town's designated area may be considered on a case-by-case basis should the project provide significant impact.
Who can apply?
- Freeholders
- Leaseholders with a minimum of 7 years lease agreement
Eligible Projects
- The prime focus of the application should be on works to develop the interior of a vacant building although works to exterior and curtilage are eligible for support.
- The applicant must ensure, using appropriate professional advice as necessary, that the proposed works are technically suitable, have structural integrity, and have secured all appropriate statutory consents and licenses.
What is the offer?
- This fund operates as a tiered approach
- Tier 1 project can apply for support of between £3000- £10,000 for small scale enhancements
- Tier 2 projects can apply for support of between £10,0001- £50,000 for larger scale developments
Process
- Potential applicants will be required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the first instance.
- An officer will arrange to meet with potential applicants prior to submitting and expression of interest.
- Projects that are deemed suitable will be invited to submit a full application
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter. Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
- Projects must complete within 6 months of receipt of grant offer..
How to access support?
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to request arrange a meeting with an officer to discuss your project.
Capital Development Fund
As part of the Ten Towns programme, vacant premises across the County's rural market towns could be eligible for financial support of up to £50,000 to re-develop premises in the town centre which are currently in a state of disrepair and not being utilised.
This is a targeted fund for premises located in designated areas of each rural market town.
Applications from premises located outside of each town's designated area may be considered on a case-by-case basis should the project provide significant impact.
Who can apply?
- Freeholders
- Leaseholders with a minimum of 7 years lease agreement
Eligible Projects
- The prime focus of the application should be on works to develop the interior of a vacant building although works to exterior and curtilage are eligible for support.
- The applicant must ensure, using appropriate professional advice as necessary, that the proposed works are technically suitable, have structural integrity, and have secured all appropriate statutory consents and licenses.
What is the offer?
- This fund operates as a tiered approach
- Tier 1 project can apply for support of between £3000- £10,000 for small scale enhancements
- Tier 2 projects can apply for support of between £10,0001- £50,000 for larger scale developments
Process
- Potential applicants will be required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the first instance.
- An officer will arrange to meet with potential applicants prior to submitting and expression of interest.
- Projects that are deemed suitable will be invited to submit a full application
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter. Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
- Projects must complete within 6 months of receipt of grant offer..
How to access support?
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to request arrange a meeting with an officer to discuss your project.
Ten Towns Event Fund
The Ten Towns Town Centre Events Fund is funded from the Local Growth Fund for Wales and administered by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The aim of the fund is to raise the profile of rural Carmarthenshire by drawing on the County’s rich heritage and culture through the delivery of events.
The objectives of the Fund are to:
- Stimulate the local economy through increasing footfall in town centres
- Provide improved social opportunities for local people.
- To attract overnight and day visitors from new markets and sectors.
- Strengthen community cohesion by encouraging local people to take part in creative activity
Who can apply?
- Constituted Voluntary and Community Groups
- Registered Charities
- Not for profit organisations
- Social Enterprises
- Local branches of national third sector organisations can apply using the parent body’s Constitution but must have their own local Bank Account.
- Town and Community Councils can apply for community projects that are additional to normal statutory responsibilities which will benefit the community.
What is the offer?
- Applications will be considered from organisations creating new community events or enhancing existing events that bring clear and identifiable economic and social benefits to rural Carmarthenshire
- A total budget of £20,000 has been made available for this fund.
Timelines
- The grant fund will open on Monday 11 May 2026 and will close on 30 June 2026.
- Decisions will not be made until after this date. Events scheduled to take place before the fund closing date and evaluation period are not eligible for support.
- An internal panel will meet to discuss completed applications received.
- Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
- We envisage that successful applications will be notified of grant award within 1 month of the closing date.
- Projects must be fully delivered no later than 31 December 2026.
How to access support
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk for an application form once you had read through the guidelines.
Ten Towns Event Fund
The Ten Towns Town Centre Events Fund is funded from the Local Growth Fund for Wales and administered by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The aim of the fund is to raise the profile of rural Carmarthenshire by drawing on the County’s rich heritage and culture through the delivery of events.
The objectives of the Fund are to:
- Stimulate the local economy through increasing footfall in town centres
- Provide improved social opportunities for local people.
- To attract overnight and day visitors from new markets and sectors.
- Strengthen community cohesion by encouraging local people to take part in creative activity
Who can apply?
- Constituted Voluntary and Community Groups
- Registered Charities
- Not for profit organisations
- Social Enterprises
- Local branches of national third sector organisations can apply using the parent body’s Constitution but must have their own local Bank Account.
- Town and Community Councils can apply for community projects that are additional to normal statutory responsibilities which will benefit the community.
What is the offer?
- Applications will be considered from organisations creating new community events or enhancing existing events that bring clear and identifiable economic and social benefits to rural Carmarthenshire
- A total budget of £20,000 has been made available for this fund.
Timelines
- The grant fund will open on Monday 11 May 2026 and will close on 30 June 2026.
- Decisions will not be made until after this date. Events scheduled to take place before the fund closing date and evaluation period are not eligible for support.
- An internal panel will meet to discuss completed applications received.
- Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
- We envisage that successful applications will be notified of grant award within 1 month of the closing date.
- Projects must be fully delivered no later than 31 December 2026.
How to access support
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk for an application form once you had read through the guidelines.
