A FORMER Wilko store in Carmarthen is to be demolished and the surrounding car park redeveloped.
Carmarthenshire Council said it would have cost around £1m to get the store fit for use again, mainly because of work needed to the roof.
The council owns the freehold for the Friars Park site and bought the leasehold in 2024.
Cabinet has now agreed to knock down the Wilko store and redevelop the 250-space car park, which a report said didn’t meet modern parking standards or user expectations.
“This would support the delivery of improved parking provision, enhanced user facilities, and a more attractive, fit-for-purpose asset that contributes positively to the long-term vitality of the town centre,” it said.
Cllr Hazel Evans, cabinet member for regeneration, said the work would cost approximately £2.5m and was being fully funded via a Welsh Government grant. “There will be no direct financial implication for the council,” she said.
She added discussions with interested parties about the site’s future use would continue although no formal agreement has been reached.
Cllr Evans said clear communication with businesses at nearby Merlin’s Walk shopping centre and adjoining residents would be essential to help mitigate disruption during the work.
The proposal was seconded by cabinet member for resources Cllr Alun Lenny who represents the Carmarthen Town North and South ward. “I’m very happy to see it moving on,” he said. “I’m very pleased that the cost is being matched fully by [a] Welsh Government grant.”
Merlin’s Walk businesses contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said they wanted a retailer or retailers to occupy the demolished Wilko site in due course.
“Wilko helped bring us more customers,” said Krystian Byczyk, who owns grocery store Food Plus with his wife Magdalena. “Carmarthen is getting less shops as costs are killing us.”
Katherine Chamberlain, manager of gift shop 925 Treats, said retail use would be preferable to something like a housing scheme. She added: “The car park is really busy – we don’t really want it to be affected.”
James Deacon, manager of clothes shop Weird Fish, agreed. He added: “What sort of disruption are we talking about it?” Mr Deacon said footfall had declined. “I think Carmarthen is going downhill – something needs to happen,” he said.
Wilko shut its doors at Friars Walk in 2023. The building was a Tesco store before that.
