Carmarthenshire County Council has confirmed that it is in discussions with ‘interested parties’ about the future use of the Friars Park site in Carmarthen, after confirming that the former Wilko’s building will be demolished.
Carmarthenshire Council’s Cabinet approved proposals to redevelop the Friars Park site at its meeting on Monday, July 27.
The proposals include the demolition of the former Wilko’s building, which the Local Authority states has ‘reached the end of its usable life’.
The future proposals will include the redevelopment of the surrounding car park, and the plans will form part of the next stage of regeneration of the site.
Funding has been secured for the demolition via Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Grant. Cabinet has approved the inclusion of the funding allocation within the Council’s capital programme to enable the works to proceed.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: “Cabinet’s decision to approve the re-development of the Friars Park site is an important first step in creating a more attractive town centre asset which meets modern needs.
“Carmarthenshire County Council will submit a Notice of Demolition in the coming days.”
The 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.
Wilko shut its doors in 2023. The building was a Tesco store before that
Cllr Evans 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 that clear communication with businesses at nearby Merlin’s Walk shopping centre and adjoining residents would be essential to help mitigate disruption during the work.
