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.

Ten Towns Initiative

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. 

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?

• This fund operates as a tiered approach
• Tier 1 project can apply for support of between £3000- £10,000 for small scale enhancements
• Tier 2 projects can apply for support of between £10,0001- £50,000 for larger scale developments 

Process 

• 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.
• Projects that are deemed suitable will be invited to submit a full application
• 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 Town Centre Digital Screen Fund

Carmarthenshire County Council has made significant progress in enhancing digital opportunities across its principal towns through a range of initiatives designed to improve visitor experience, promote local businesses, and strengthen community communication. Several towns have already benefited from the installation of digital information boards, supported through funding programmes administered by the Authority as part of the Ten Towns Programme. 

To ensure a consistent offer across all ten towns, this fund will enable eligible town and community councils to procure, install, and operate digital information boards within their respective town centres.

The initiative will support the Council’s wider objectives of economic regeneration, tourism promotion, and community engagement, ensuring equitable access to digital visitor information and strengthening the vitality and resilience of Carmarthenshire’s rural market towns.

Eligible Areas

Projects located in the following towns are eligible for support. 

·       Cross Hands

·       Cwmaman (Garnant and Glanaman)

·       Kidwelly

·       Llandeilo

·       Llandovery

·       Newcastle Emlyn

·       Laugharne

·       Llanybydder

·       Whitland

·       St Clears 

Eligible applicants 

·       Constituted Voluntary and Community Groups e.g. business forum, town centre partnerships

·       Town and Community Councils 

Eligible expenditure 

·       Expenditure associated with the supply, installation, software and connection of new town centre digital screens

·       Expenditure associated with training, software and/or hardware upgrade of existing town centre screens

·       Costs associated with gaining statutory consents are eligible for support

·       Costs associated with content creation and translation

The Grant 

·       Grants of up to 100% of the total project cost will be available, however projects are encouraged to source match funding to extend project benefits.

·       Applicants can apply for a maximum of £10,000 per project (location)

·       Organisations can submit more than one application for consideration for support from this fun

• Applicants may be required to gain advertising consent from the local planning authority. Advertising consent Applications must be submitted prior to submitting grant application.  More information can be found here Advertisement consent - Consent types - Planning Portal. Costs associated with gaining necessary consents can be included in grant application.

Timelines

• This fund will operate on a first come first served basis.
• The fund will close for applications on 21 December 2025. Applications received after this date will be rejected.
• Projects must be fully complete by 12 March 2026. 

GUIDELINES

APPLICATION FORM

To speak to an officer about your project, send an email to RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk