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Search forLlanelli's party animals want their share of the Wind Street action
Friday, September 19, 2008, 09:00
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."
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