Llanelli's party animals want their share of the Wind Street action
LLANELLI revellers are calling for the town's very own version of Swansea's famous Wind Street.
Almost 550 people have joined a group supporting radical measures to kick-start the town centre, which has been dubbed a ghost town.
Among the suggested locations are the pedestrianised areas of Cowell Street or Stepney Street.
Events promoter Simon Morse, of Alban Road, has started up a campaign on social networking site Facebook, entitled Turn Llanelli town centre into a Wind Street.
The 24-year-old said more and more people wanted a reason to stay in Llanelli for a night out, and has suggested rejuvenating the town centre in the same manner as Swansea's Wind Street was transformed years before.
"Llanelli town centre has completely died since the opening on Trostre and Pemberton Retail Parks," he said.
"More shops are beginning to shut down and lose business.
"I think that if they opened up some more bars like Revolution, Pitcher and Piano, O'Neil's and Walkabout, it would create some more jobs for the people in Llanelli, and encourage people to stay in Llanelli, rather than going to Swansea all the time.
"I know we are a town and not a city, but I still think Llanelli could have much better nightlife with some new bars and clubs."
Facebook user Ian Herbert has written on the group's wall: "I always thought that it was a good idea to use the pedestrian area that has seen the demise of the local shopping centre.
"This is an ideal time to consider this, in light of most Llanelli nightlife- seekers already catching the train every weekend to Wind Street.
"To help with the street pub culture, the council should encourage white-collar workers to the centre by creating office space in the town and stop focusing on factory based investment."
Llanelli councillor and Conservative Club landlord John Jenkins said he had mixed feelings about the campaign.
"While the social aspect of Llanelli is very important to residents, the town centre is primarily a retail centre," he said.
"While times are hard I think we should focus on ensuring it has a vibrant shopping future.
"On the other hand, if the council could create a successful social area in the town, it would benefit the night-time economy."
Carmarthenshire Council spokeswoman Debbie Williams said the authority actively encouraged the use of Llanelli town centre properties.
She added: "If anyone is interested in opening a bar in Llanelli they would have to contact the landlord of the building for a rental agreement and then go through the planning and licensing process for the change of use."
4 Comments
by steve palmer, Llanelli
Friday, February 13 2009, 5:02PM
“There is not one decent place to go out for a drink in Llanelli.
Any new pubs and better clubs would be welcomed with open arms. However, who really wants to go out in our dirty run down town. Get me a bus to swansea anytime.”
by paul, llanelli
Monday, September 22 2008, 3:52PM
“If Simon Morse and his 550 friends supported llanelli town centre on a weekend, just think how much better it would be for all of us. until town bashing people like this who spend their time with "virtual friends" instead of socialing, put their money where their mouths are and support THEIR OWN town how can we expect an invester to .
On bank holidays and christmas the town is packed and the atmosphere great & safe. if these 550 people went into llanelli every week and spent their llanelli earned money back in their town that would possibly encourage companies to invest .”
by DAVE, SWANSEA
Sunday, September 21 2008, 9:13PM
“Llanelli dont do it, Wind St is an embarassment i recently had friends to visit they were shocked at the place and one called it Soddam and Gamora but with more drink, drugs and violence. Its a bit of a shame it was seen to be the cafe quarter a bit like Cardiff Bay but turned out more of a opium den. They had never seen seen so many drunk people in one place and the beggars and tramps there is beyond belief. Swansea centre is a bit sad at its best just pound-shops and empty premises in the day and stag hen parties in the nite, what a lovely picture it paints to the visitors my friends actually said that they would not venture in again on thier visits which paints a pretty poor picture in my eyes.”
by John, Llanelli
Sunday, September 21 2008, 8:00PM
“Lamentable as this idea maybe I would like to clarify a few points. how as the pub and drinking culture been affected by retail outlets in Trostre and Pemberton? This is a blatent case of self promotion by an individual
Wind Street succeeds as it is destination venue for drinkers from Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea West, Carmarthenshire, the student population and residents of Swansea. There is no conceivable way that Llanelli will be able to sustain venue as mentioned in the article. I would love to see a sustained cafe and drinking culture in Llanelli but it will not happen.”