Llanelli’s opening the gateway to Eastern promise that will completely rejuvenate its town centre shopping and leisure experience.
Henry Davidson Developments Ltd could make a start before the end of March on the £15million East Gate Development.
In two years, the development will blend into the town centre a six-screen multiplex Reel cinema, 53-bedroom Travel Lodge Hotel, a range of pubs and restaurants, nearly 2,000sq metres of new office space, a convenience store and other retail outlets, a ShopMobility facility, increased parking for 239 vehicles, an improved and enhanced bus station and a new town square and other public realm enhancements.
The county’s executive board on Monday (January 18th) are to recommend a start on the scheme that could be endorsed by full council on February 7th leading to a swift March start on works which could be completed in 2012.
The council has worked hard to overcome two final stumbling blocks with the acquisition of Island House and Mallard House and now has complete control of the whole site required for the development.
The council do not have to commit any more capital to the scheme and Henry Davidson have said 50 per cent of the development is already let.
County executive regeneration board member, Cllr Clive Scourfield, said: “Carmarthenshire is leading the way across the UK in these economically constrained times.
“The Carmarthen St Catherine’s scheme was uniquely the only town centre development completed nationwide in 2010 and now Llanelli’s development is likely to be one of few launched in 2011.
“It shows a huge commitment by the council and confidence in the Authority by the developers that they are prepared to back these schemes.
“It has been a tough time for Llanelli with a number of awkward hurdles delaying progress. But the promise from this Eastern Gateway development for the future bodes well for the town.”
Development manager of Henry Davidson, Neal Dale, said: “It is all very positive given the climate we are in which is still doom and gloom out there.
“To be in a situation to be possible starting on site in this climate is a massive good news story to tell and is good for the town as well.”
President of Llanelli’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce Andrew Stephens said: “What is so pleasing about this regeneration of the eastern end of the town is that it is a good mix of leisure and retail which will increase footfall and enhance and extend the town’s night-time experience which will make Llanelli altogether more attractive to shoppers and visitors.”
