A £6m project to restore one of Llanelli’s most historic buildings and turn it into a community heritage centre is to be backed with Convergence funding, creating 10 new jobs and a range of training opportunities Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews, will announce today (22.10.09) at the Wales Regeneration Summit.
The restoration of the 18th century Llanelly House will soon get under way following a £2 million boost from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government to attract over 30,000 visitors to the centre and wider region.
Led by Carmarthenshire Regeneration Heritage Trust (CHRT), the scheme will provide free admission to visitors to enjoy a range of events and heritage activities including exhibitions and heritage interpretation using state of the art technology. Educational and training opportunities to suit all ages will also form part of the programme of events.
The centre will also house a café / restaurant, which will incorporate a delicatessen with al fresco dining, as well as a business start up facility to encourage small enterprises to establish themselves in a unique setting close to the town.
The scheme, which is backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Llanelli Town Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, is expected to create a further 30 jobs over the next 3 years from the services and activities available at the centre.
Announcing the funding, Leighton Andrews said: “The Llanelly House scheme will make a major contribution to regenerating Llanelli, creating jobs, attracting visitors to the town and providing the local community with a much-needed resource.
“A wide and diverse range of local people in Llanelli have been involved in developing this project and, it is not only an excellent example of partnership working, but also how we can invest European funding to support activities that will enrich communities and boost the local economy, bringing lasting benefits to the region.”
Work on the Grade One listed building, which earned a high profile after featuring in BBC2's Restoration series in 2003, will start in Spring 2010 and is expected to be completed by 2012.
When open the centre will be a base for exhibitions from a variety of local groups, including the Llanelli Historical Society, Llanelli Community Heritage, Llanelli Access Group, and the Welsh Polish Association.
Sir Roger Jones, Chair of Carmarthenshire Regeneration Heritage Trust said: “This is the realisation of ten years very hard work. Thanks to the support of the local community, the Assembly Government, Heritage Lottery Fund, our partners in local government and Trinity University College – all of whom have given their utmost to make this dream come true.”
Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “Llanelly House is regarded as an initial catalyst to drive forward the rejuvenation of the town centre. This historic building is a part of the integrated package that is being prepared for the town centre and will clearly make a significant contribution to the economic revival of Llanelli.”
Llanelli Town Council Leader Carl Lucas said: "The Town Council's determined commitment to see this project succeed has been fully rewarded. Securing Convergence funding means that the restoration of this fantastic building for the benefit of the people of Llanelli will proceed and we greatly look forward to the reopening of this truly historic house in all its former splendour in 2012."
Laurence Llewelyn Bowen said, ‘I’m over the moon, this is a fantastic building whose restoration will give a real lift to Llanelli and its town centre’.
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/carmarthenshirenews/Final-163-2million-Llanelly-House-agreed/article-1440911-detail/article.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8319501.stm
