Artists unveil vision for new museum and creative quarter in Llanelli town centre

The proposal, led by the John Street Project, aims to breathe new life into the town centre by acquiring and converting the old Post Office building into a museum and multi‑use arts space.

The group is seeking a £150,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to fund the project, which would include a flexible exhibition area, artist studios, a small café, and a decorative archway to showcase local talent.

Tara Fisher, Project Secretary, said:

“We want artists to know that the museum will be a home for local people of talent. This is vital. If everything goes smoothly, and we get extra funding, we would like to run the museum ourselves.”

The museum would be housed in the former Post Office, which includes a Grade II listed section. The group hopes to create a space that can host courses, events and exhibitions, with movable walls to allow for flexible layouts.

Plans also include a gift shop, tourist office, and a bookable studio space for artists across the constituency.

Environmental features and community involvement

The project also includes a strong environmental focus, with proposals for planters filled with bee‑friendly flowers, donated by residents. Each planter would carry the name of its donor, recognising their contribution to the town’s regeneration.

A standout feature would be a £25,000 French wind turbine tree, similar to one installed at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Tara Fisher added:

“What an exciting prospect to have these trees, one on the Place de la Concorde in Paris and one in John Street, Llanelli.”

The group is also exploring crowdfunding options and hopes to employ a full‑time supervisor and two part‑time staff to run the museum.

Linked to the project is an aspiration to introduce a £1 day-ticket bus service dedicated to Llanelli town centre and surrounding areas, improving access and footfall.

The John Street Project is actively seeking community support and donations. Updates and engagement opportunities are available via their Facebook page: John Street Project.

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Plans revealed for Cambrian Way Shopping Centre revamp with 27 new town centre apartments

Asbri Planning, acting for the Draycott Group, has launched a statutory pre‑application consultation on plans to alter and extend the existing building on John Street. The scheme would see parts of the rooftop demolished and the upper floors reconfigured to create 27 apartments — a mix of 23 one‑bedroom, one two‑bedroom (three‑person) and three two‑bedroom (four‑person) homes — spread across the first, second and third floors.

The ground floor shopping arcade and retail units would be retained, with shopfront improvements along John Street and St Catherine’s Walk. The upper‑floor homes would be served by dedicated entrances, cycle storage and roof terraces, with no on‑site parking for residents.

Contemporary design in a heritage setting

The Design and Access Statement says the new homes would be built above the existing retail structure, stepping back at higher levels to reduce the visual impact and create outdoor terrace space. Materials such as slate, off‑white render and grey standing‑seam metal cladding are proposed to complement the neighbouring Capitol cinema and nearby conservation area, while giving the building a distinct, modern identity.

The plans also aim to improve natural surveillance and footfall in this part of the town centre, with balconies and windows overlooking surrounding streets and the service yard.

Public consultation open until 3 October

Under Welsh planning rules, major developments must go through a 28‑day public consultation before a formal application is submitted. Residents, businesses and other stakeholders can view the full plans and supporting documents on Asbri Planning’s consultation page and submit feedback by email or post before 3 October 2025.

Part of wider regeneration push

The Cambrian Way site has long been identified as a priority for regeneration. If approved, the redevelopment would join a growing number of mixed‑use projects in Welsh town centres aimed at tackling vacant retail space, meeting housing demand and boosting footfall for local traders.

Once the consultation closes, Asbri Planning will review all responses before finalising the application for submission to Carmarthenshire County Council.

#apartments #AsbriPlanning #CambrianWayShoppingCentre #Carmarthen #CarmarthenTownCentre #JohnStreet #newHomes

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The paired Triumphal Archways over John Street linking the original Glasgow City Chambers to the more recent extension on Cochrane Street. They were designed by Watson, Salmond and Gray, and were built in the 1910s.

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#glasgowcitychambers #johnstreet