MrPhilSlade#BurryPortHarbour to be renovated this spring and summer
Editor£146m Carmarthenshire capital plan includes market demolition, school upgrades and Debenhams delay
Carmarthenshire Council’s cabinet has been told that the £40m transformation of the former Debenhams building in St Catherine’s Walk will require an extra £2m after engineers uncovered a structural issue during construction. The defect was not visible during earlier surveys and only emerged once extensive internal work had begun.
The building, which closed when Debenhams collapsed in 2021, is being turned into a new health, leisure and education hub with support from UK and Welsh Government funding. The council had hoped the site would open in 2026, but the newly identified problem is expected to push the timetable back.
Cllr Alun Lenny, cabinet member for resources, said the setback was unavoidable but insisted the project remained vital for the future of Carmarthen town centre. He said boarded‑up Debenhams stores continued to blight high streets elsewhere and that Carmarthenshire would not allow the same to happen.
The former Debenhams building in St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen, which is being transformed into a new health, leisure and education hub. (Image: Google Maps)Structural issue delays major town centre redevelopment
The council has not yet disclosed the nature of the defect, but a full report is being prepared for councillors and the public. The redevelopment will house community health services, council facilities, a 24‑hour gym, soft play, adventure golf, go‑karting and education space linked to Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Work began in 2024 and the council had originally targeted a 2026 opening. The additional £2m will be used to address the structural issue and keep the project moving.
Llanelli market and multi‑storey car park set for demolition
Inside Llanelli Market, which is set to be demolished along with the Murray Street multi‑storey car park as part of Carmarthenshire Council’s new capital programme. (Image: Swansea Bay News)The capital programme confirms that Llanelli Market and the Murray Street multi‑storey car park above it are scheduled for demolition, with £2m allocated across 2028‑29 and 2029‑30. The market would relocate to Vaughan Street, a proposal that has already prompted concern from traders and opposition councillors.
Swansea Bay News has previously reported on calls for a clearer vision for the town centre and fears that the loss of the market and car park could further weaken footfall.
Former leisure centre to be knocked down
The former Llanelli Leisure Centre in Park Crescent is also earmarked for demolition, with £1.2m set aside for 2026‑27. The building has been empty since the new leisure centre opened and has been discussed as a potential site for Ysgol Dewi Sant, although no final decision has been made.
Investment in schools, roads and the Towy Valley path
Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli, which will receive further investment for ongoing improvements next year. (Image: Carmarthenshire Council)The report outlines £5.2m for continued improvements at Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli next year, alongside £12.9m for other school projects over the next five years. This is in addition to £46m already available but unspent.
A further £2.2m will be invested in parking areas, electric vehicle charging points and flood‑mitigation work along the Towy Valley shared‑use path between Carmarthen and Ffairfach, which is nearing completion.
Road repairs will receive £4.5m in 2026‑27, with continued spending on bridges, drainage and street lighting across the county.
Harbour and heritage buildings included in programme
Kidwelly Town Hall, the Grade II‑listed building set to undergo essential repairs as part of Carmarthenshire Council’s capital programme. (Image: Google Maps)Burry Port Harbour will receive another £1m in 2026‑27, following £1m already committed this year. Kidwelly Town Hall, a Grade II‑listed building, will undergo £1.1m of essential repairs over the next two years.
The council says the five‑year programme will be funded through a mix of Welsh Government grants, borrowing, council reserves and funding that has not yet been identified. The full budget will go before councillors on February 25.
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6 kitesurfers at Burry Port today.
£500k gym deal pumps new life into Llanelli fitness scene
Led by local entrepreneur Ioan Jones, the takeover brings together gyms in Llanelli, Trimsaran and Burry Port, with all sites staying open and memberships, staff and services continuing as normal.
The new Hyve Gym brand promises slick strength equipment, functional fitness zones and a packed timetable of classes — from indoor cycling and group training to conditioning and circuits.
Jones says he’s ready to grow the brand and keep the community at the heart of it: “Buying three gyms at once was a major step. I wanted a legal team who could guide me through every stage — and Peter Lynn and Partners did just that.”
No disruption, no downtime
The deal was wrapped up in just seven weeks, with Peter Lynn and Partners Solicitors handling the legal side — including lease transfers, TUPE staff arrangements and protection of existing memberships.
Greg George, James Lewis Hyndman and Rob Cherry led the negotiations, with funding from the Development Bank of Wales.
George said the team worked fast to keep everything running smoothly: “Each gym had its own lease, so we had to complete three assignments at the same time as the funding drawdown. We made sure the transition was seamless.”
Hyve Gym locations
Llanelli
Sandy Bridge Trade Park, Llanelli SA15 4AX
Burry Port (Express)
WDA Industrial Estate, Burry Port SA16 0NN
Trimsaran
Trimsaran Leisure Centre, Trimsaran SA17 4AA
What’s next for Hyve Gym?
Jones says the focus now is on expanding the timetable, upgrading equipment and building a fitness community that works for everyone — from first‑timers to seasoned lifters.
All three gyms are open with extended hours, accessible layouts and a growing list of classes.
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#burryPort #carmarthenshire #fitness #gym #gymDeal #hyveGym #ioanJones #llanelli #peterLynnAndPartners #trimsaran #trimsaranLeisureCentre
Dining and CookingBurry Port couple offering over-50s free dinners on Christmas Day
People over the age of 50 in Burry Port, Pembrey and surrounding areas who will be alone on Chri…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Christmas #BurryPort #christmas #ChristmasAppetizes #christmasdesserts #christmasdinner #christmasdinnerrecipes #christmasfood #christmasrecipes #christmassides #InYourAreaCommunity #InYourAreaNews
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2352824/burry-port-couple-offering-over-50s-free-dinners-on-christmas-day/
2 #kitesurfers at #BurryPort this morning
Burry Port RNLI marks 80th call‑out of the year after kite surfer rescue alert
Kite surfer reported in difficulty near Pembrey
At 3.25pm on Sunday, Milford Haven Coastguard paged Burry Port RNLI to assist a kite surfer thought to be in trouble between Pembrey and Broughton.
The station’s relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat Roy Snewin and D‑Class Williams and Cole were launched immediately, with Tenby’s all‑weather lifeboat also tasked to the area.
Casualty self‑recovered before lifeboats arrived
While crews were en route, the Coastguard confirmed that the casualty had managed to self‑recover and make their way safely ashore.
Burry Port’s Atlantic 85 located and recovered the kite surfer’s equipment before both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.
80th launch of 2025
The incident marked the 80th call‑out of the year for Burry Port RNLI, underlining the continued demand on volunteer crews.
A spokesperson said: “A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers and all partner agencies involved. Please always check the weather, tides, and wind direction before heading out on the water. Offshore winds can quickly carry kite surfers, paddle boarders, and other water users out to sea.”
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#BurryPort #BurryPortRNLI #HMCoastguard #kiteSurfer #Pembrey #rescue #RNLI
1 #surfer at #BurryPort this afternoon.
1 #kitesurfer at #BurryPort this evening
1 #kitesurfer at #burryport this evening