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.
Revitalising Rural Town Centre Fund
As part of the 10 Towns programme, commercial premises across the County's rural market towns could be eligible for financial support of up to £2000 to revitalise their shop front.
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.
How to get support
Contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to discuss your project with an officer. All applications must ensure their application aligns with the guidelines and recommendations noted in the Carmarthenshire Built Heritage Design Guide.
Who can apply?
Freeholders and leaseholders are eligible.
What type of expenditure is eligible?
- Decoration of building
- Lighting
- Canopies (subject to planning permission)
- New bilingual signage (subject to relevant consents)
What is the offer?
- Maximum grant award of £2000 based on 80% of the total project costs
- Applicants must provide a minimum match funding contribution of 20% of the total eligible project cost
Timelines
- This fund will close on 30 June 2025
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter.
- Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
Apply for support
All applications must ensure their application aligns with the guidelines and recommendations noted in the Carmarthenshire Built Heritage Design Guide.
Revitalising Rural Town Centre Fund
As part of the 10 Towns programme, commercial premises across the County's rural market towns could be eligible for financial support of up to £2000 to revitalise their shop front.
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.
How to get support
Contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to discuss your project with an officer. All applications must ensure their application aligns with the guidelines and recommendations noted in the Carmarthenshire Built Heritage Design Guide.
Who can apply?
Freeholders and leaseholders are eligible.
What type of expenditure is eligible?
- Decoration of building
- Lighting
- Canopies (subject to planning permission)
- New bilingual signage (subject to relevant consents)
What is the offer?
- Maximum grant award of £2000 based on 80% of the total project costs
- Applicants must provide a minimum match funding contribution of 20% of the total eligible project cost
Timelines
- This fund will close on 30 June 2025
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter.
- Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
Apply for support
All applications must ensure their application aligns with the guidelines and recommendations noted in the Carmarthenshire Built Heritage Design Guide.
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?
- Maximum grant award of £50,000 based on 70% of the total project costs
- Applicants must provide a minimum match funding contribution of 30% of the total eligible project costs
Timelines
- 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.
- EOI must be submitted by 11:59pm 22 June 2025
- Projects that are deemed suitable will be invited to submit a full application
- Full applications must be submitted no later than 18 August 2025
- We aim to inform successful applicants by the end of September 2025.
- 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?
- Maximum grant award of £50,000 based on 70% of the total project costs
- Applicants must provide a minimum match funding contribution of 30% of the total eligible project costs
Timelines
- 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.
- EOI must be submitted by 11:59pm 22 June 2025
- Projects that are deemed suitable will be invited to submit a full application
- Full applications must be submitted no later than 18 August 2025
- We aim to inform successful applicants by the end of September 2025.
- 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 Programme
Organisations based in Laugharne and Cross Hands are invited to apply for support to develop projects that can demonstrate economic growth in these areas. This fund can only support capital expenditure.
The fund will support;
- Projects which support new service provision and/or create new offering for the tow
- Projects that can demonstrate an increase in town centre footfall
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 type of expenditure is ineligible?
- Works which have already commenced.
- Temporary interventions
- Repairs & maintenance
- Staff costs
What is the offer?
- Each area has a funding pot of £45,000 per town
- Maximum grant available is £15,000 per application
- Grant award can be up to 100% of the total eligible costs
Timelines
- Applications must be submitted no later than 30 July 2025
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter. Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
- Successful projects will be notified by end of September 2025 at latest
- Projects must complete by end of January 2026
How to access support
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to discuss with an officer.
Please ensure that you read through the programme guidelines before requesting an application form.
Ten Towns Programme
Organisations based in Laugharne and Cross Hands are invited to apply for support to develop projects that can demonstrate economic growth in these areas. This fund can only support capital expenditure.
The fund will support;
- Projects which support new service provision and/or create new offering for the tow
- Projects that can demonstrate an increase in town centre footfall
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 type of expenditure is ineligible?
- Works which have already commenced.
- Temporary interventions
- Repairs & maintenance
- Staff costs
What is the offer?
- Each area has a funding pot of £45,000 per town
- Maximum grant available is £15,000 per application
- Grant award can be up to 100% of the total eligible costs
Timelines
- Applications must be submitted no later than 30 July 2025
- Those successful can commence works after being issued with a grant offer letter. Works undertaken before receiving a grant offer letter are not eligible.
- Successful projects will be notified by end of September 2025 at latest
- Projects must complete by end of January 2026
How to access support
Please contact RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to discuss with an officer.
Please ensure that you read through the programme guidelines before requesting an application form.
