New store in old Woolworths brings hope to Llanelli centre
LLANELLI's suffering town centre is to get a much-needed boost, when a new tenant moves into the former Woolworths site.
A high street store is due to set up in one of the town's most badly-hit shopping streets.
Family clothing retailer Ethel Austin, which has 300 stores across the UK, is due to open in the former Woolworths building in Vaughan Street, which has been empty since the start of the year.
Although the firm would not officially confirm the opening, jobs for the new store are already listed on the company's website and Jobforce Wales has announced that the store's arrival will bring 16 new positions to the area.
Town centre manager Andrew Shufflebotham said the store's arrival would provide a great boost for the town. "I am delighted that Ethel Austin has decided to open in the former Woolworths store in Llanelli," he said.
"The store is known as a 'high street darling' with more than 300 stores nationwide.
"There are only a handful of retailers capable of taking on a store of this size.
"For some time we have been courting Primark — Ethel Austin will definitely be a very acceptable substitute for Llanelli, bringing a fresh new feel to Vaughan Street."
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In the past two years Vaughan Street has lost top chain stores Marks & Spencer, Burtons and WH Smith, to out-of-town retail park Parc Trostre.
Woolworths, meanwhile went under last year, and Topshop closed its store on the street earlier this year.
Recently plans were announced to move town centre store Game Station into the former Game shop in St Elli Shopping Centre from October — meaning another empty shop in Vaughan Street.
Mr Shufflebotham revealed that more good news was on the cards for the town centre.
"Work will soon be starting to refurbish the old Landys Electrical shop in Stepney Street next week," he said.
"As well as this, Poundland is coming to the St Elli Shopping Centre and we are looking at a potential occupier for the former WHSmiths property.
"When this happens, we will be looking at a town centre vacancy rate of eight per cent.
"This compares favourably with a nationally reported shop vacancy rate of 12 per cent, and up to 20 per cent in some towns."
2 Comments
by DD, Llanelli
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:27AM
“Poundland, Home Bargains, Poundstretcher and Ethel Austin. Sums it up quite nicely for Llanelli Town Centre these days.
Carmarthen Town Centre is set to get Debenhams, Next, Pizza Express, Frankie and Bennys, Star Bucks....
Makes you wonder what can possibly be attracted to the Upper Park Street development.”
by ERIC, Llanelli
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 4:15PM
“Well Good Luck to them. but at the moment i cannot see it working out. there are to many shops pulling out of town. it may be because or the Rent and Rates..? are Sky High. But look at carmarthen Town, the County seems to look after that area. Worst thing was when the old council packed in. and moved down to carmarthen.”