St Clears

A growing town that has experienced population and housing growth in recent years. The town is a short commute from Carmarthen, and this has helped drive the residential development. This growth has helped sustain the number of people of working age, economically active and in fulltime employment.

The town's direct access to the A40 has encouraged the growth of strong traditional employment including several light industrial and commercial employment areas throughout the town.

There is also a small traditional town centre. Outside of the town, the economy supports a broad range of rural enterprises including agricultural, land-based industries, food and drink and tourism. There are also many microbusinesses, including newer 'lifestyle', visitor-related and creative industries that combine both living and working in rural areas.

There is also an important foundational side of the economy with many people employed in providing essential day to day local services, skilled trades, and professions such as driving instructors, pc repair and personal instructors etc.

St Clears wider role includes supporting the social, employment, education and localised retail role for Laugharne and smaller outlying villages such as Bancyfelin and the communities of the Llansteffan and Trelech Wards. St Clears leisure centre also serves the needs of its neighbouring towns.

Discover St Clears

Ten Towns Project

Identified as an anchor building for the town, Y Gat was the centre of the Ten towns project in St Clears. Formally known as the West Wales Craft Centre, St Clears town council have taken the management of the building over from the Authority as part of an asset transfer.

Already housing key services and micro businesses, the priority was to reconfigure areas of the ground floor to create a fit for purpose space where the gallery was previously housed, whilst creating a separate entrance to the café area.

To accompany the capital works, equipment to facilitate provision from Y Gat will also be sourced. Digital screens have been placed outside the Gat, which will include a local business directory and information on provision, services and events.

To support activity held at Y Gat, a Centre co-ordinator will be appointed to engage with the local community.

 

 

 

 

 

Revitalising Rural Town Centres

Local business owners expressed a need for support to improve the vibrancy of the exterior of their premises.

A dedicated grant fund was created to support this activity with a number of high street premises in St Clears approved funding to enhance the exterior of their building to support of the appearance and vibrancy of the town.

 

Additionally, Carmarthenshire based street artist Steve Jenkins, has created murals in the town that capture it's history and heritage. Located at Evans' Pharmacy and Santa Clara Public house, both pieces have been well received by residents, businesses and visitors to the area. 

Sustainable Communities

The new Chapel Bethlehem has recently converted the ground floor into a hub for the community. This project will aid the purchase and installation of a new kitchen and appliances, furniture for the hwb.

Funds are also available for the appointment of a full-time manager to promote and organise the use of the building.

The New Bethlehem Chapel is a centre for the Pwll-trap community and its needs; specifically, a centre to promote activities through the medium of Welsh and the use of the language in the community as well as social, leisure and well-being activities.

Tackling Towns

The Tackling Towns scheme has been directly delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Pentre Road car park is the main car parking area that serves the town, which also includes access to a well utilised riverside walk and skate park area. The recycling area in the car park has been screened and disability friendly street furniture installed near the riverside walk entrance. The town already has a heritage colour palette being used for its street furniture and lamp post, which is being refreshed as part of the scheme.

Cei Taf Community Hall

The Cei Taf, a Community Hall and boat yard within lower St Clears, is situated where the river Cynin and River Taf meet.

Keen to redevelop this community asset, support has been approved for the pre-development stage of this project.

 

St Clears Leisure Centre

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Actif team were successful in gaining support from the Rural Innovation Fund to respond to the desire of the community of St Clears to develop a new sustainable operating model for the leisure centre located in the town. Alongside community engagement to shape potential future models, he project supported a number of new initiatives such as monthly farmers markets, wellbeing and family focussed events to encourage new visitors to the Centre.

Hwb