LLANELLI: Stradey Park Hotel ‘left powered-up with beds made’ as urban explorers film inside closed landmark — sparking police warning

Dyfed-Powys Police have issued a warning after several groups entered the closed Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli and filmed inside, finding the landmark venue apparently left fully operational.

The force said it had received a rise in reports of trespassing at the Furnace site over the late May bank holiday weekend, with people accessing the building to create social media content.

Officers confirmed that no arrests have been made, and that they are in contact with those involved. Enquiries are being carried out into potential criminal damage and burglary offences.

In a statement, the force urged people not to enter the building, warning of the risks of going into a closed and unsecured property.

One of the groups, B&R Urban Explorers UK, told Swansea Bay News it had heard from another group that the hotel was open, and arrived to find a door wide open.

The group said the electricity was still on, with the lifts in working order, two bars fully stocked, and beds still made — in its words, “as if waiting for guests that never arrived.”

The group said it understood the concerns raised by police about people entering the building, acknowledging that the risks inside any such property are unknown.

It said its approach was to “document things and leave,” and suggested that if access was not wanted, the building should be properly secured.

The footage and photographs, shared widely on social media, show corridors with the lights on, function rooms with chandeliers still hanging, and a kitchen left with crockery and supplies in place.

The scenes are the latest twist in the long-running story of the four-star hotel, which closed with immediate effect earlier this year.

The closure left staff facing redundancy and threw the future of one of Llanelli’s best-known venues into doubt.

The hotel’s operating company, Gryphon Leisure Limited, remains the subject of a High Court winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue and Customs, with other creditors also backing the action, listed under case number CR-2026-000901.

Companies House records show the company is still listed as active, but now also faces a proposed strike-off from the register. No liquidation order or receivership appointment is recorded on the public register.

Local representatives have been working to address concerns about the site. Hengoed councillors Martyn Palfreman and Ed Skinner, working with Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith and Elli ward councillor Steve Williams, said they had arranged fencing through the county council and approached the site’s receiver to improve security.

They said they had received an assurance from the UK Border Security and Asylum Minister that the hotel would not be used to house asylum seekers — a reference to the controversial 2023 plan that was eventually withdrawn.

The representatives said their priority was to see the hotel sold as a going concern, and urged people to stay away from the site for their own safety.

Police said work was continuing with partners and the owners to resolve the situation, and that community engagement was ongoing to reassure people living nearby.

Anyone who witnesses trespassing or antisocial behaviour at the site is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The hotel’s owner, Ahsan Ullah, was approached for comment.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Stradey Park Hotel saga deepens: High Court winding-up petition filed against firm linked to Llanelli landmark
HMRC’s legal action against the hotel’s operating company.

All our Stradey Park Hotel coverage
The full timeline of the hotel’s long-running saga.

The End of the Alley #lightandshadow #colorcontrast #urbandrama #urbanexplorers #bluehourmagic #composition #architecture #geometry #shadowart #dailyview #citylife

@photography

#Places

Daily diary on Mastodon
🔗 https://pixelfed.social/p/piotrk/948567328453528503

Internet subcultures: urban explorers

https://negativepid.blog/internet-subcultures-urban-explorers/

#urbanExplorers #onlineGroups #cyberpsychology #psychology #onlineBehaviour #humanBehaviour #onlineSafety #behaviouralStudies #socialMedia #onlineForums #identity #negativepid

Internet subcultures: urban explorers

https://negativepid.blog/internet-subcultures-urban-explorers/

#urbanExplorers #onlineGroups #cyberpsychology #psychology #onlineBehaviour #humanBehaviour #onlineSafety #behaviouralStudies #socialMedia #onlineForums #identity #negativepid

Urban explorers reveal hidden interior of Swansea’s long-abandoned Elysium Theatre

Beth and Robbie, who run the page B&R Urban Explorers UK, documented their visit with over 170 photographs and a series of short video clips. Their footage reveals the faded grandeur of a building that once entertained thousands — and has now stood silent for decades.

“We were taken away by what we were seeing — an old gem kept away for decades,” said Beth. “The rows of chairs still standing, covered in dust… old arcade machines left behind… it’s so sad to see a huge part of history go to waste and be forgotten.”

The Elysium opened in April 1914 as a cinema and social club for working men. Designed by Messrs. Ward and Ward and built by Fred Pitcher Ltd, the building once housed shops, showrooms, a ballroom, reading rooms, and offices for the Dockers’ Union. Its main hall, run by the Anima Company, could seat around 1,400 people.

The cinema is thought to have closed in 1960, with the building later used as a bingo hall before falling into disuse in the 1990s. Since then, it has remained sealed off — its interior largely unseen by the public.

Beth and Robbie described the building as “incredibly unsafe,” with crumbling floors and collapsed sections that prevented them from accessing all areas. But what they did capture offers a haunting and powerful glimpse into Swansea’s entertainment past.

“Up on walking into the property, everything was decayed,” said Robbie. “Slowly making our way through the mess, we came up to the old wall of tiles and then the doors to the theatre.”

“The bingo hall had been converted into the theatre,” added Beth. “We found the stairs to the old theatre above it — the rows of chairs still standing, once seated thousands of guests, families and friends.”

“Old machines were still left behind from the arcade — a few retro arcade machines,” said Robbie. “The place is falling apart. It’s so dangerous, so we didn’t manage to explore all the floors, but we still managed to get many of its main features.”

Their images show tiled walls, projection equipment, retro arcade machines, and the decaying remains of the auditorium. A caption video is being prepared to showcase the highlights, and a full gallery will follow once the archive is curated.

The Elysium from the outside: faded grandeur and forgotten purpose

“It’s so sad to see a huge part of history go to waste and be forgotten.” — Beth

First steps into decay: the silence, the dust, the danger

“Up on walking into the property, everything was decayed… slowly making our way through the mess.” — Robbie

Where thousands once gathered: the heart of the Elysium

“The rows of chairs still standing, once seated thousands of guests, families and friends.” — Beth

Built for the people: the Dockers’ Union and civic life

“The building had a ballroom, a ladies reading room, and offices used by the Dockers’ Union.” — Historical record

Echoes of entertainment: machines, memories, and retro relics

“Old machines still left behind from the arcade — a few retro arcade machines.” — Robbie

Time stands still: the artefacts left behind

“We didn’t manage to explore all the floors, but we still captured many of its main features.” — Beth

#arcadeMachines #brUrbanExplorersUk #bingoHall #cinema #derelictBuilding #elysiumTheatre #formerCinema #highStreet #history #homepage #socialClub #swansea #urbanDecay #urbanExplorers

One word I feel should be completely removed from the fediverse is 'asylum' when used to describe an abandoned hospital by urban explorers.

These places - generally old psychiatric hospitals - may have been a place of safety (that is 'asylum') for many patients, but they were in many cases, centres of abuse and cruelty.

The word asylum seems to be deliberately used by Urban Explorers to create a kind of mystique or atmosphere around any healthcare building, possibly one with a unfortunate history.

As the parent of someone who has spent a lot of time in psychiatric hospitals, and met many of the staff and other patients, the word 'asylum' makes me gag - it's completely inappropriate for psychiatric hospitals - disused or otherwise - in the 21st century.

They are hospitals for the sick.

#urbex #urbanExplorers

The Railway Hotel is going to be auctioned with a pretty low guide price of £180,000

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167732789

However I think the purchase price will be a lot lower than what it will cost to make something of it, the interior was videoed by some "urban explorers".

https://youtu.be/XfRHwlzQtn8?si=mtIttjL_qOpYeUoq

I hope something can be done with it. It's a fantastic stone building in a prime location. However it has previously been refused planning permission to convert into multiple flats as it has very limited parking spaces and roadside parking is always busy on the middle of the village.

#Rothbury #Northumberland #UK #Derelict #UrbanExplorers #Property