Atriwm
Renamed Atriwm (pronounced Ah-tree-oom), we are transforming this former major retail store in the St Catherine's area of Carmarthen town into a one-of-a-kind facility that will deliver a range of community services in one central location.
With significant funding support from both UK and Welsh Government’s, this major refurbishment includes substantial external and internal building work to create the needed spaces to present an accessible multi-functional facility of this size and scope.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Sport and Leisure Service, Actif will offer its first 24-hour gym, dedicated state of art spin and activity studios, indoor adventure golf, children’s play centre, Electric Go Karting, multi-zone TAG Active gamified arena and party rooms. The Council’s Carmarthen Customer Service Hwb will also relocate here, providing help, advice and support across wide range of Council services and other agencies. A visitor information outlet supporting local and County tourism will call Atriwm its home.
CGI of the Hwb Space
TAG Active
Renamed Atriwm (pronounced Ah-tree-oom), we are transforming this former major retail store in the St Catherine's area of Carmarthen town into a one-of-a-kind facility that will deliver a range of community services in one central location.
With significant funding support from both UK and Welsh Government’s, this major refurbishment includes substantial external and internal building work to create the needed spaces to present an accessible multi-functional facility of this size and scope.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Sport and Leisure Service, Actif will offer its first 24-hour gym, dedicated state of art spin and activity studios, indoor adventure golf, children’s play centre, Electric Go Karting, multi-zone TAG Active gamified arena and party rooms. The Council’s Carmarthen Customer Service Hwb will also relocate here, providing help, advice and support across wide range of Council services and other agencies. A visitor information outlet supporting local and County tourism will call Atriwm its home.
CGI of the Hwb Space
TAG Active
Hywel Da University Health Board services will include children and young people’s therapies, community and children’s nursing, urgent dental, sexual health, phlebotomy, podiatry and mental health services.
CGI of an exam room
UWTSD students of the bilingual BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy course will provide injury and soft tissue massage clinics under the supervision of the academic team. The BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy programme is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists and focusses on preparing students to work in the aspect of healthcare specifically concerned with injury prevention and patient rehabilitation. The degree is also endorsed by the Chartered Association for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) which means that it is aligned with industry standards for job roles such as gym instructor and personal training meaning students are well qualified for the workplace. Clients will also benefit from close proximity of the Actif gym and the range of health services to complement the treatment provided.
CGI of a student breakout room
Work commenced in 2024 and will be open to the public in early 2027. Local contractors including FP Hurley, Shufflebottom and Becker Sliding Partitions have played a key role in delivering the scheme, supported by a network of supply chains, creating real economic benefits for the local community.
Hywel Da University Health Board services will include children and young people’s therapies, community and children’s nursing, urgent dental, sexual health, phlebotomy, podiatry and mental health services.
CGI of an exam room
UWTSD students of the bilingual BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy course will provide injury and soft tissue massage clinics under the supervision of the academic team. The BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy programme is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists and focusses on preparing students to work in the aspect of healthcare specifically concerned with injury prevention and patient rehabilitation. The degree is also endorsed by the Chartered Association for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) which means that it is aligned with industry standards for job roles such as gym instructor and personal training meaning students are well qualified for the workplace. Clients will also benefit from close proximity of the Actif gym and the range of health services to complement the treatment provided.
CGI of a student breakout room
Work commenced in 2024 and will be open to the public in early 2027. Local contractors including FP Hurley, Shufflebottom and Becker Sliding Partitions have played a key role in delivering the scheme, supported by a network of supply chains, creating real economic benefits for the local community.
As with many towns and cities across the UK, the demise of the Debenhams retail chain left a major gap in Carmarthen’s retail offer. Some have been re-let (Merthyr Tydfil), some have been knocked down for other uses (Gloucester and Cardiff) but a large majority have remained empty leaving a negative impact on the wider area.
In discussions with the retail park owners, various local partners and UK Government, Carmarthenshire County Council agreed to lead a multi-million-pound project to purchase and regenerate the facility, undertaking remedial works to the original external facades and completely altering the interior layout.
This project is part funded by the Welsh Government's IRCF Fund, with further funding from the UK Government and the County Council.
The name ‘Atriwm’ (pronounced Ah-tree-oom) is inspired in recognition of Carmarthen’s Roman roots, with its fort and amphitheatre. Atriwm, a Welsh word, derives from the Latin word, Atrium, meaning an entrance hall or the main open court of a Roman house.
Atriwm is also the name for one of the two upper chambers of the human heart, a name that is appropriate to all partners involved in the project and the health and well-being purpose of the building. In the context of modern architecture, Atriwm pays tribute to the iconic large glass windows of the former retail building, that lead light into the building.
Due to unforeseen remedial building works, lead contractor Bouygues UK have commenced work on the façade of the building which will require a 3-way traffic management system in place on St Catherine’s Street, which is likely to be in place until Autumn 2026. There is full access to the multi-story car park via St Catherine Avenue.
Atriwm is the redevelopment of the former Debenhams building in Carmarthen town centre into a multi-use facility that will provide healthcare services, an activity centre and family entertainment facilities, alongside wider economic and social benefits for the town.
The acquisition formed part of a successful Levelling Up Fund bid approved by UK Government in 2021. The building was identified as a key opportunity to bring a prominent vacant town centre asset back into productive use.
No. The purchase of the former Debenhams building was funded entirely through the UK Government Levelling Up Fund. No Council funding was used to acquire the property.
The original Levelling Up Fund proposal was based on a conceptual design with an approved budget of £19.608 million.
The increase reflects a combination of factors including:
- Expansion of the project's scope.
- Additional healthcare facilities.
- Increased floor area.
- Enhanced building services and clinical infrastructure.
- Construction inflation affecting the wider sector.
- Structural remediation works identified during refurbishment.
Yes. Following the award of Levelling Up funding, the Council undertook more detailed design work and service planning. Additional external funding enabled the inclusion of an activity centre, expanded healthcare provision, increased floor space and wider town centre benefits.
A further £12 million of funding was secured from Welsh Government, UK Government and project partners after the original Levelling Up Fund award. This enabled the project to be expanded beyond the initial proposal.
Prior to acquisition, an independent building survey was undertaken which did not identify any significant structural issues other than the condition of the roof. Some structural issues only became apparent during refurbishment works once parts of the building were opened up and investigated in greater detail.
The forecast cost of the remedial works associated with the identified structural issues is £4.253 million. These works are necessary to ensure the building is safe, fit for purpose and capable of supporting its long-term future use.
The main construction contract was procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework and awarded to Bouygues UK.
The contract awarded to Bouygues UK had an initial value of £27.713 million.
The current forecast final cost of the project is £41.003 million.
The approved funding package comprises:
- UK Government: £20.19 million
- Welsh Government: £9.045 million
- Carmarthenshire County Council: £11.458 million
- Partner contributions: £309,287
Total project funding: £41.003 million.
The Council has put in additional funding to support the expanded scope of the project which reflects a larger scheme incorporating additional facilities, healthcare provision and other enhancements that were not included within the original proposal.
Yes. The project has been impacted by significant post-pandemic construction inflation, which has affected projects across the construction sector.
The project is expected to:
- Bring a vacant town centre building back into use.
- Provide additional healthcare services in a town centre setting to improve accessibility for all.
- Deliver an activity centre and family entertainment facilities.
- Increase town centre footfall, thereby helping to boost the town’s economy.
- Generate wider economic and social benefits for Carmarthen.
The anticipated completion date is early 2027.
Yes. The Council approved the original Levelling Up Fund bid in May 2021, approved the acquisition of the building and Stage 1 redevelopment process in January 2022, and approved to award the construction contract in December 2023.
The original bid was based on a conceptual design. As the design developed and service requirements became clearer, the scope expanded significantly and additional external funding was secured to support that enhanced vision. The current scheme therefore differs materially from the original concept.
The original £19.608 million Levelling Up Fund bid was developed using a conceptual design in 2021. As the project progressed, detailed design work was undertaken to define the services that would operate from the building and to understand the requirements of future occupants. This resulted in a significantly enhanced scheme, including additional healthcare provision, an activity centre, increased floor space and enhanced building infrastructure.
In addition, the project has been affected by construction inflation experienced across the industry and by structural issues identified during refurbishment works. As a result, the scheme being delivered today is substantially larger and more complex than the original concept presented in 2021.
No. The original budget reflected the information available at the time and was based on a conceptual design produced for the Levelling Up Fund application process. As is common with major capital projects, costs become more defined as designs are developed and service requirements are confirmed, but also in this case, the scope of the services to be provided at the facility has expanded.
Additional funding has been secured to support a broader range of facilities and services than initially proposed.
Prior to acquisition, the Council commissioned an independent building survey which did not identify any significant structural issues beyond the condition of the roof. Some issues only became apparent once refurbishment works commenced and elements of the building were opened up for detailed investigation.
No. The Council has continued to monitor and report the project's financial position through its governance arrangements. The current forecast cost reflects known factors including project expansion, enhanced healthcare requirements, inflation and structural remediation works.
The revised budget has been developed to reflect the full scope of the project that is now being delivered.
The current funding package includes £11.458 million from Carmarthenshire County Council. It is important to recognise that the acquisition of the building itself was funded entirely through the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, with no Council funding used to purchase the property. The current Council contribution relates to the expanded scheme that has evolved since the original bid.
The Council has a responsibility to consider both the costs and the benefits of any major regeneration project. Atriwm represents a significant investment in the future of Carmarthen town centre and will bring together healthcare, leisure and community facilities within a prominent vacant building.
The Council's focus has been on ensuring the project delivers long-term value while also addressing challenges that have emerged during delivery.
The project is a worthwhile investment. The project has secured funding from multiple sources including the UK Government, Welsh Government and partner organisations. The resulting scheme provides substantially more than was included in the original proposal, with expanded healthcare provision, an activity centre, and wider benefits for the town centre.
The Council believes that bringing a major vacant town centre building back into use and creating facilities that will serve communities for years to come represents a significant long-term investment in Carmarthenshire.
Local people will benefit from additional healthcare provision in the town centre, access to new activity centre facilities, and the regeneration of a large vacant building in the heart of Carmarthen. The project is also intended to support increased footfall and wider economic activity within the town centre.
The current anticipated completion date is early 2027. Construction works continue to progress towards that target.
Any decision regarding a major capital project must take account of the work already completed, contractual commitments, funding arrangements and the benefits the project is expected to deliver. The Council's current focus is on completing the project and ensuring that residents receive the long-term benefits that the development is intended to provide.
The important point is that the project being delivered today is not the same project that was originally envisaged in 2021. It is a larger, more ambitious scheme, supported by additional external funding, and designed to deliver significantly greater benefits for Carmarthen and the wider county.
Atriwm has evolved significantly since its original conception. The building was acquired using UK Government funding, additional external funding has since been secured, and the scheme will now provide a much wider range of healthcare, leisure and community facilities than originally envisaged. While challenges have emerged during delivery, the objective remains to create a major town centre asset that will serve communities across Carmarthenshire for decades to come.
As with many towns and cities across the UK, the demise of the Debenhams retail chain left a major gap in Carmarthen’s retail offer. Some have been re-let (Merthyr Tydfil), some have been knocked down for other uses (Gloucester and Cardiff) but a large majority have remained empty leaving a negative impact on the wider area.
In discussions with the retail park owners, various local partners and UK Government, Carmarthenshire County Council agreed to lead a multi-million-pound project to purchase and regenerate the facility, undertaking remedial works to the original external facades and completely altering the interior layout.
This project is part funded by the Welsh Government's IRCF Fund, with further funding from the UK Government and the County Council.
The name ‘Atriwm’ (pronounced Ah-tree-oom) is inspired in recognition of Carmarthen’s Roman roots, with its fort and amphitheatre. Atriwm, a Welsh word, derives from the Latin word, Atrium, meaning an entrance hall or the main open court of a Roman house.
Atriwm is also the name for one of the two upper chambers of the human heart, a name that is appropriate to all partners involved in the project and the health and well-being purpose of the building. In the context of modern architecture, Atriwm pays tribute to the iconic large glass windows of the former retail building, that lead light into the building.
Due to unforeseen remedial building works, lead contractor Bouygues UK have commenced work on the façade of the building which will require a 3-way traffic management system in place on St Catherine’s Street, which is likely to be in place until Autumn 2026. There is full access to the multi-story car park via St Catherine Avenue.
Atriwm is the redevelopment of the former Debenhams building in Carmarthen town centre into a multi-use facility that will provide healthcare services, an activity centre and family entertainment facilities, alongside wider economic and social benefits for the town.
The acquisition formed part of a successful Levelling Up Fund bid approved by UK Government in 2021. The building was identified as a key opportunity to bring a prominent vacant town centre asset back into productive use.
No. The purchase of the former Debenhams building was funded entirely through the UK Government Levelling Up Fund. No Council funding was used to acquire the property.
The original Levelling Up Fund proposal was based on a conceptual design with an approved budget of £19.608 million.
The increase reflects a combination of factors including:
- Expansion of the project's scope.
- Additional healthcare facilities.
- Increased floor area.
- Enhanced building services and clinical infrastructure.
- Construction inflation affecting the wider sector.
- Structural remediation works identified during refurbishment.
Yes. Following the award of Levelling Up funding, the Council undertook more detailed design work and service planning. Additional external funding enabled the inclusion of an activity centre, expanded healthcare provision, increased floor space and wider town centre benefits.
A further £12 million of funding was secured from Welsh Government, UK Government and project partners after the original Levelling Up Fund award. This enabled the project to be expanded beyond the initial proposal.
Prior to acquisition, an independent building survey was undertaken which did not identify any significant structural issues other than the condition of the roof. Some structural issues only became apparent during refurbishment works once parts of the building were opened up and investigated in greater detail.
The forecast cost of the remedial works associated with the identified structural issues is £4.253 million. These works are necessary to ensure the building is safe, fit for purpose and capable of supporting its long-term future use.
The main construction contract was procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework and awarded to Bouygues UK.
The contract awarded to Bouygues UK had an initial value of £27.713 million.
The current forecast final cost of the project is £41.003 million.
The approved funding package comprises:
- UK Government: £20.19 million
- Welsh Government: £9.045 million
- Carmarthenshire County Council: £11.458 million
- Partner contributions: £309,287
Total project funding: £41.003 million.
The Council has put in additional funding to support the expanded scope of the project which reflects a larger scheme incorporating additional facilities, healthcare provision and other enhancements that were not included within the original proposal.
Yes. The project has been impacted by significant post-pandemic construction inflation, which has affected projects across the construction sector.
The project is expected to:
- Bring a vacant town centre building back into use.
- Provide additional healthcare services in a town centre setting to improve accessibility for all.
- Deliver an activity centre and family entertainment facilities.
- Increase town centre footfall, thereby helping to boost the town’s economy.
- Generate wider economic and social benefits for Carmarthen.
The anticipated completion date is early 2027.
Yes. The Council approved the original Levelling Up Fund bid in May 2021, approved the acquisition of the building and Stage 1 redevelopment process in January 2022, and approved to award the construction contract in December 2023.
The original bid was based on a conceptual design. As the design developed and service requirements became clearer, the scope expanded significantly and additional external funding was secured to support that enhanced vision. The current scheme therefore differs materially from the original concept.
The original £19.608 million Levelling Up Fund bid was developed using a conceptual design in 2021. As the project progressed, detailed design work was undertaken to define the services that would operate from the building and to understand the requirements of future occupants. This resulted in a significantly enhanced scheme, including additional healthcare provision, an activity centre, increased floor space and enhanced building infrastructure.
In addition, the project has been affected by construction inflation experienced across the industry and by structural issues identified during refurbishment works. As a result, the scheme being delivered today is substantially larger and more complex than the original concept presented in 2021.
No. The original budget reflected the information available at the time and was based on a conceptual design produced for the Levelling Up Fund application process. As is common with major capital projects, costs become more defined as designs are developed and service requirements are confirmed, but also in this case, the scope of the services to be provided at the facility has expanded.
Additional funding has been secured to support a broader range of facilities and services than initially proposed.
Prior to acquisition, the Council commissioned an independent building survey which did not identify any significant structural issues beyond the condition of the roof. Some issues only became apparent once refurbishment works commenced and elements of the building were opened up for detailed investigation.
No. The Council has continued to monitor and report the project's financial position through its governance arrangements. The current forecast cost reflects known factors including project expansion, enhanced healthcare requirements, inflation and structural remediation works.
The revised budget has been developed to reflect the full scope of the project that is now being delivered.
The current funding package includes £11.458 million from Carmarthenshire County Council. It is important to recognise that the acquisition of the building itself was funded entirely through the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, with no Council funding used to purchase the property. The current Council contribution relates to the expanded scheme that has evolved since the original bid.
The Council has a responsibility to consider both the costs and the benefits of any major regeneration project. Atriwm represents a significant investment in the future of Carmarthen town centre and will bring together healthcare, leisure and community facilities within a prominent vacant building.
The Council's focus has been on ensuring the project delivers long-term value while also addressing challenges that have emerged during delivery.
The project is a worthwhile investment. The project has secured funding from multiple sources including the UK Government, Welsh Government and partner organisations. The resulting scheme provides substantially more than was included in the original proposal, with expanded healthcare provision, an activity centre, and wider benefits for the town centre.
The Council believes that bringing a major vacant town centre building back into use and creating facilities that will serve communities for years to come represents a significant long-term investment in Carmarthenshire.
Local people will benefit from additional healthcare provision in the town centre, access to new activity centre facilities, and the regeneration of a large vacant building in the heart of Carmarthen. The project is also intended to support increased footfall and wider economic activity within the town centre.
The current anticipated completion date is early 2027. Construction works continue to progress towards that target.
Any decision regarding a major capital project must take account of the work already completed, contractual commitments, funding arrangements and the benefits the project is expected to deliver. The Council's current focus is on completing the project and ensuring that residents receive the long-term benefits that the development is intended to provide.
The important point is that the project being delivered today is not the same project that was originally envisaged in 2021. It is a larger, more ambitious scheme, supported by additional external funding, and designed to deliver significantly greater benefits for Carmarthen and the wider county.
Atriwm has evolved significantly since its original conception. The building was acquired using UK Government funding, additional external funding has since been secured, and the scheme will now provide a much wider range of healthcare, leisure and community facilities than originally envisaged. While challenges have emerged during delivery, the objective remains to create a major town centre asset that will serve communities across Carmarthenshire for decades to come.
