An Ammanford businessman is literally building his own road to recovery from the recession.
Alun Richards is constructing a new road into the Tycroes Business Park at Llety.
And the move has been applauded by his MP, Nia Griffith.
“It is a tremendous boost for the business park and a huge advertisement for what can be done by local enterprise,” said Ms Griffith.
“I am hugely impressed by the work that has gone on to develop Tycroes Business Park. It has brought much-needed jobs to the area and we can take pride in the fact there are so many local businesses at the park carving out their own individual success stories.
“Alun Richards must be praised for his vision in making Tycroes Business Park work. It is a tremendous example of local enterprise at work – local people working together to create valued local jobs.”
The MP’s praise was seconded by Carmarthenshire county councillor Dewi Enoch, who represents the Tycroes ward.
Councillor Enoch said: “It is a great boost for the area. Local jobs for local people. The park is in a good location, with good links to the road network and bus routes. Further developments at Tycroes Business Park are very welcome for the local community.”
Mr Richards said that the construction of a new road at the park was an act of faith in the future of Tycroes Business Park.
“I am doing this without any form of grant aid support from any Government enterprise or local authority. The road will open up another five acres at the park for future development. This is very much Phase Two of Tycroes Business Park and I am confident it will go from success to success.
“Interest in new offices has been high. We already have some high-profile businesses on the park and the plan to expand further is down to our self-belief that this park will go on to great things.”
The business park is based around the old Llety farm at Tycroes.
“Essentially, we have developed businesses in and around the old farmyard.
But there are 200 acres here so there are plenty of possibilities for a lot more expansion.
“Currently, there is a great deal of team spirit among the businesses here, with everyone supporting each other.”
Businesses on the park include Abaca (makers of organic beds and bedding), The Learning Partnership (a company which works in partnership with local education authorities, teaching foundation phase leaders, advisors, teachers and educationalists in raising the quality of teaching for young children), Caboodle (an internet web design company with interests across the UK), Melin Energy Consultants (a company which helps construction firms and builders make sense of the energy-efficient building regulations), LINE-X (a firm which provides protective coatings for vehicles and other industrial products), and an MoT approved testing station.
“The changes at Llety have been dramatic,” Mr Richards admitted. “The farm has been in family ownership since 1956. But, in 2000, we decided to diversify, move out of milk production and establish the business park.
“It has been an exciting process watching businesses start up here and grow.
Some of the old farm buildings have been put to good use and adapted for different firms. And we have catering on site with a cafe and restaurant in the Learning Partnership building.”
Mr Richards said the park was already popular for conferences, seminars and meetings.
Photograph: Ammanford businessman Alun Richards, left, discusses the new road into his Tycroes Business Park with MP Nia Griffith and Carmarthenshire county councillor Dewi Enoch.
