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Llandovery

Llandovery, a gateway to the Brecon Beacons, is a top destination known for its dynamic, sustainable outdoor recreation and warm hospitality. This exemplary market town supports a thriving business community and its residents, earning a reputation for being dynamic, adaptable, and outward-looking.

The town attracts start-ups, spin-offs, and growing micro-businesses with its accessibility and high-quality environment. The 'makers-quarter' is fostering a new generation of makers, designers, engineers, and creative entrepreneurs.

The re-energised town centre is the heart of community life, offering a blend of commercial and traditional retail uses, supported by a regular program of innovative events. New housing, reflecting the unique character of the countryside, is drawing families and young people to relocate to the town, bolstered by excellent digital and transport infrastructure.

Discover Llandovery

Ten Towns Project

The priority for Llandovery was to enhance the town’s visitor economy, with several projects completed ahead of the Urdd Eisteddfod in May 2023. These included:

  • Improved access to the castle’s vantage points.
  • Tourism interpretation boards designed by local schoolchildren to instil a sense of place.
  • Branded canopies and accessible street furniture in the Market Square.
  • A digital information screen in the car park to share visitor details.
  • A mosaic mural at the town’s tourist information centre, showcasing Llandovery’s heritage, culture, and history. 

Ten Towns Revenue Project

 

The Farmers' Market, featuring locally sourced produce within a 25-mile radius, has become a success, boosting foot traffic in the town. Held on the 1st Saturday of every month in Market Square, it hosts over 15 businesses and receives positive feedback on social media. Local musicians are also often featured, adding to the event's vibrant atmosphere.

Ten Towns Circular Economy Fund

Ynni Sir Gâr were awarded funds from the circular economy fund to hold a circular economy awareness raising event in the town. 

Revitalising Rural Town Centres

Local business owners highlighted the need for assistance in enhancing the exterior appearance of their properties. In response, a dedicated grant fund was established to support this initiative. 18 high street businesses in Llandovery were approved for funding to improve the exterior of their buildings, contributing to the town’s overall vibrancy and visual appeal.

 

Tackling Towns

 

The Ten Towns Tackling Towns fund has been used to improve trunk road signage at the gateway entrances to Llandovery. In addition, benches in poor condition have been refurbished or replaced, and noticeboards and signs within the town centre have been upgraded.

 

Ten Towns Capital Development Fund

The capital development fund was created in response to local needs identified through community engagement, offering an opportunity to both establish new town centre businesses and address vacant high street properties. Three applications in Llandovery have been approved, supporting the revitalisation of the high street, creating new businesses, and generating several new jobs in the area.

 

Rural Innovation Fund 

The Heart of Wales LGBTQ+ received funding from the Rural Innovation Fund to pilot a town-based event that commissioned local and national writers to create performance art inspired by Llandovery’s past, present, and future. The event, called the Heart of Wales Fringe Festival (Gŵyl Ymylol Calon Cymru), took place in the town on 28 September 2024.

Additionally, Ynni Sir Gâr was approved to pilot their Bwrlwm project, which successfully conceptualised and implemented how Llandovery could become a vibrant, resilient, and ‘green’ town—where electricity is generated and used locally. A key outcome of Bwrlwm was the establishment of an Energy Local Club in the town, linking local renewable energy generators with users to ensure a fairer cost for both.

Sustainable Communities

 

A joint application from Llandovery Rugby Club and the WRU was approved, resulting in improvements to the sports pitch for all weather conditions, including the installation of LED floodlighting and enhanced spectator viewing. This upgraded facility is now being used by all local sports clubs and has repurposed the existing pitch at Llandovery RFC. It is also used by local schools and volunteer organisations, helping to improve rugby facilities across the area.

The Llandovery Youth and Community Centre continues to thrive, supporting many local people of all ages and abilities. To ensure the centre remains fit for purpose, general upgrades and improvements have been made. The organisation was successful in securing support to help make the centre more sustainable moving forward.

ARFOR Fund

Gofal Golwg Ltd received support to develop a bilingual optometry service in Llandovery, benefiting the local community. Arfor’s assistance helped create a new business, generate jobs, and revitalise a vacant commercial building, supporting the rural high street agenda.

 

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