Llanelly's restoration closer after £2m boost

THE dream of a revitalised Llanelly House is finally being realised — and supporters hope it will spark life back into the town centre by attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Confirmation came last week that the grade one-listed landmark building had received the final £2 million injection needed to elevate it to its original glory.

Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews, announced the grant from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund, which means work on the £6 million scheme can start in spring 2010.

The project, which will create 10 new jobs, is expected to be completed by 2012.

Project director William Wilkins, who has been working on it for the past nine years, hailed the news.

He said: "At last we can start — that is the key. It is a huge turning point." Earlier this year the project received a £3.4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund — and now all the necessary cash is in place.

For more on this story read this week's Llanelli Star.