Traders' wishes 'placed first and foremost' in talks

TRADERS and shoppers in Llanelli must be given their say on plans to move the town's popular indoor market and demolish the Murray Street multi-storey car park.

- IAN LEWIS

That is the demand from Labour politicians who fear the piecemeal redevelopment of the town centre could be to the detriment of existing businesses.

The accusation from Labour directed at the ruling Plaid administration at Carmarthenshire Council that Llanelli market traders have not been "properly consulted" on their future is strongly denied by Cllr Darren Price, leader of the county council, which owns the market hall and the multi-storey car park above it.

Cllr Price said: "We've already held two events to consult with the traders and 90% of them say that they want to work with the county council to develop a future-proofed market."

He added trader wishes "have been placed first and foremost" by the council.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith has further called for a new, bigger vision to be drawn up as a masterplan to map the future regeneration of the town.

She said: "What we really need is a proper vision for the town focusing on how we revitalise the town and increase footfall. The proposed development needs to be part of a bigger vision that should be published, with wide consultation on what the people here in Llanelli want to see. It should not be a piecemeal plan presented to them."

Carmarthenshire Council has drawn up four options for the future of the market at a meeting with traders. These options are:

Temporarily relocate the market to outdoor or other provision before relocating to a new home on the current site.

Relocate to the south of Market Street.