A £14.6m cultural and creative centre to include a new 500-seat theatre is to be developed in Carmarthenshire, creating 35 jobs.
The Works in Llanelli town centre will provide entertainment, arts, culture, employment and skills opportunities for people across the region.
The major capital scheme will involve a new-build cultural and creative centre and the renovation of two Grade II listed buildings – Zion Chapel and the neighbouring Old School.
It is anticipated that when complete, it will attract over 50,000 visitors and play a major role in community life.
Led by Carmarthenshire County Council, it is backed with £5.1million from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund and £5.1million Targeted Match Funding through the Welsh Assembly Government. The remainder is coming from the county council and key partners.
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said:
“The Works will play a major role in the regeneration of Llanelli and the wider South West region, bringing new employment and training opportunities. It will reflect the unique heritage of the area, providing cultural and community activities to encourage greater social interaction and attract visitors who can also benefit from a rich programme of events.”
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said:
“This innovative project will create 35 jobs at the outset and generate more work opportunities as it gets underway. It will also support existing businesses and attract further investment into the region, supporting the local economy and increasing prosperity for people and businesses alike.”
As part of the scheme a multi-purpose 500+ seated main auditorium, with a stage, orchestra pit and a flexible seating system will be constructed.
Trinity University College will occupy offices on the first floor for their enterprising ‘Nexus@The Works’ project which will focus on creating opportunities for students, and for interaction between artists for the private sector and the local community.
Renovating the two Grade II Listed buildings will bring both back into full community and economic use, and will include workshops, exhibition area, a café, social enterprise incubation and meeting rooms. It is adjacent to Tinopolis, a private sector cinema and a retail leisure complex, providing direct access to private sector expertise in key areas of the creative industries.
The designs have been centred on the need to safeguard the special architectural and historical interest of both buildings and to ensure their future.
The majority of the internal characteristics of Zion Chapel will be preserved including the pulpit and ‘sedd fawr’, and it is proposed to redesign the ground floor to provide six dedicated new social enterprise units. The Gallery level will also remain in its original state.
The Works will be the very first theatre in Wales with wheelchair access in the tall fly-tower in the main theatre.
Special wheelchair-friendly flooring installed in the fly-tower will allow disabled people the opportunity to be trained and gain employment as lighting and backstage technicians.
Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said:
“This is a major boost, not only for Llanelli Town Centre, but the whole of the region.
“This development will hopefully be the catalyst for further investment that will provide much needed support for local businesses and local people.
“Further plans are in the pipeline and if these are also successful, we will see a major transformation of the town centre.
“The Works forms part of a much wider regeneration plan that we have in place. It will transform business confidence and improve the social and economic well-being of adjacent communities. Its importance to the regeneration of Llanelli cannot be overstated.
“A total of 35 new jobs will be created and furthermore it will provide a new type of job opportunities and career aspirations for all ages and abilities.”
The aim is to be on site in October this year with a targeted grand opening in July 2012.
