Work has started on a £25m scheme transforming a former Debenhams store in Carmarthen into a wellbeing, education and leisure hub.
When completed in 2026 the 80,000 sq ft hub, at the St Catherine’s Walk retail scheme, will also feature a family entertainment centre. The store has been empty following the collapse of Debenhams in 2021.
Bouygues 海角视频 is the lead contractor for a project which secured £18m of funding from the previous 海角视频 Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund with £7m also from the Welsh Government’s Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund.
Bouygues 海角视频 is working with Carmarthenshire County Council, in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, to repurpose the empty building which will be known as the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb.
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Once completed Carmarthenshire residents will be able to access community health services provided by Hywel Dda University Health Board. The building will partner with Actif Sport and Leisure to provide a 24-hour gym. It will also include indoor adventure golf, soft play and go-karting.
John Boughton, Bouygues 海角视频 managing director of Wales, said: “It’s fantastic to be working alongside Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David on the Hwb, bringing nearly 80,000 sq ft of commercial space in the town centre back to life.
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“By refurbishing rather than rebuilding the old department store, we will align Bouygues 海角视频’s commitment to climate and environmental sustainability, and we will continue to do so as we work on the hub with our local supply chain. It will prove to be a vital and accessible base in the community for education, health, and leisure.”
Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture and tourism, Hazel Evans added: “The hub development will significantly boost the local economy and increase footfall within Carmarthen town centre. The financial support of the Welsh Government and 海角视频 Government has been essential in us being in a position to deliver this project for our town centre. It will be a place that local people can easily access frontline healthcare services as well as services provided by our council’s dedicated customer Service advisors.
“The facilities within the Entertainment Centre are tailored to promoting healthy and active lives for all.”
Lee Davies, executive director of strategy and planning at Hywel Dda University Health Board added: “This is an exciting development. This proposal will bring together a wide range of health and well-being services in a central location. Alongside other services, it will benefit our local community in Carmarthen and its surrounding area, now and in the future. We look forward to working with our partners and seeing the development progress over the coming months.”
Professor Elwen Evans, vice-Ccancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said“The development of the Health and Wellbeing Hwb offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with partners to explore ways of revitalising the town centre through a mix of leisure, cultural and education opportunities. The university looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board on this initiative which aims to benefit residents and businesses.”