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Carmarthen

Carmarthen

Believed to be the oldest town in Wales, the market town of Carmarthen sits on the River Towy, one of the longest rivers in Wales. With a population of 9,100, the majority of the age population falls into the 30-45 age group. Deprivation and unemployment levels are similar to the Wales and Carmarthenshire averages. A Market town that’s proud of its ability to fuse the historic with the modern, meaning that it can compete as a large shopping attraction, while continuing to nod towards a past full of intrigue, uproar and myth. According to Welsh legend, Carmarthen is believed to be the birthplace of the famous wizard Merlin, who plays a significant role in Arthurian mythology and with a castle that was captured by Llywelyn the Great and Owain Glyndŵr, Carmarthen sits prominently on any historical map. Carmarthen has a bustling market that has been operating for centuries, offering a variety of goods, including local produce, crafts, and antiques. With a mix of small shops, chain stores, cinema, theatre, hotels and restaurants Carmarthen is a great place to shop, dine out and stay.

 

Discover Carmarthen

Carmarthen Recovery Masterplan

This recovery master plan has been commissioned for Carmarthen town centre by Carmarthenshire County Council (Carmarthenshire CC) in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The masterplan reviews existing regeneration activity and provides a fresh focus on the priorities and the strategy for recovery and future growth.

  • Safeguard, protect and strengthen the regional role of Carmarthen town centre as a destination for retail, leisure, hospitality, culture, employment, education and residential.
  • Concentrate activity on the central core to avoid ‘hollowing out’ and maximise opportunities for a greater mix of uses through the reuse and re-purposing of empty and underused buildings in an area undergoing significant change.
  • Support and encourage small and independent businesses to develop, grow and expand in the town centre.
  • Expand the public sector presence in the town centre, including opportunities to deliver new service provision (health and well-being, leisure, local services/advice hwb, residential) and collaboration with third sector organisations, to generate footfall ‘anchors’ and utilise empty premises.
  • Encourage the growth of the outdoor market to include a greater number of stalls and potential for a new theme/style of markets.
  • Ensure improvements to the quality of outdoor spaces, especially Jacksons Lane, to deliver a safe, attractive, inviting and stimulating town centre environment that supports the hospitality sector and evening economy.
  • Improve pedestrian and cycle linkages throughout the town centre, many of which are of poor quality.
  • Establish a SMART town with businesses making best use of digital to grow their market reach, turnover and footfall.
  • Initiatives that ensure a range of stakeholders are involved in delivering improvements for the town centre.
  • Support for the use and promotion of the Welsh language and culture

 

Carmarthen Recovery Masterplan

Town Centre Vibrancy Fund (SPF)

 

Launched in 2024, targeted £130,000 grant scheme supports revitalisation of vacant ground floor commercial properties in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli, helping to transform empty units into thriving business spaces.

 

Since launching in December 2024 has brought 15 vacant properties back into use through short-term leases, giving entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to trial their ventures in town centre premises.

 

  • 14 Lammas Street (Davies & Davies Furniture)
  • 45 King Street (Blue Marble Refill)
  • 17 Notts Square (Morgans Le Fey Alterations)

 

 

 

Vacant Properties

Carmarthenshire County Council currently don’t have any properties within Camarthen town centre available for lease, please check with us in the future for updates and availabilities. See the full list of Council properties for lease across the county.

Carmarthenshire County Council Contact Details

If you would like to get in touch with the authority regarding Carmarthen Town Centre please feel free to contact our officers that cover the centre and they will be more than happy to help:

Towns@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

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