The NABMA visit to Llanelli enjoyed a presentation from the Carmarthenshire County Council on regeneration proposals for both Carmarthen and Llanelli markets.



Jonathon Fearn, Head of Corporate Property together with Cyril Davies, Property Development Advisor presented to NABMA the exciting plans for both markets. The presentation followed a visit to the Llanelli market with Jeff Derrick the County Markets Manager and Mark Curtis, Market Officer. A civic welcome to South Wales was given by the Council Leader, Councillor Dewi Enoch



Llanelli is to benefit from a £500,000 investment in the market hall and precinct. The market, under a multi story car park and decking will see work begin in the next few days that will include improved lighting, decoration and replacement of flooring.



Carmarthen Market serves a town population of 14,000 but an immediate catchment area of 98,000. The current 1981 built market has poor layout and extreme trading temperatures and will eventually be demolished as a part of a larger retail regeneration scheme and provision of 1,000 space car park.



The new market within a town centre location has now been signed up to by traders with an anticipated January 2008 start and a 12 month work period after which the current market site will be demolished.



NABMA delegates were delighted to receive details of the project and a lively question and answer sessions took place around design proposals and business case that clearly demonstrated the research and consultation that has taken place to date.



NABMA Chief Executive Graham Wilson explained that the site visit and presentation had been a most interesting experience. “It is heartening to see the vision and commitment that the Carmarthenshire authority has for their markets portfolio. The regeneration schemes are a welcome endorsement of the local value placed on traditional town centre markets and the authority are giving an inspirational lead for many other markets to follow across the UK.”