Fear and uncertainty for stall holders at town's historic market

MARKETS hold a particular attraction for traders and shoppers and that certainly seems to be the case in Llanelli, where talk of relocation prompts varying reactions.

- RICHARD YOULE Senior local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Llanelli Market opened at its current site in 1970 and now faces relocation

(Rob Browne)

On an autumn weekday traders at the indoor market were providing that personal touch, showing a couple of elderly ladies where bath sponges were on display, guiding a man to his preferred Chelsea buns, and advising another lady that “little Yvonne” was the person who could help.

Some of the stallholders have decades of history behind them, such as Anne Reid better known as “Anne the wool” who runs the Select Wool Shop.

"Not too much has changed," she said. "It should be left as it is. The market should be a market, not posh."

But change looks set to be coming because the multi-storey car park above the market is nearing the end of its structural life, although Carmarthenshire council has said it's still safe.

The authority has been considering four options for the market, a move to Llanelli’s former Woolworths building on Vaughan Street being seen as the most viable.

Celia Bird, who runs market cafe The Welsh Diner, said: "It might be good for Llanelli if we have a modern building a big space with nice modern facilities, and nice toilets. If they came up with a good design, we are quite happy to move.

"We might generate some new customers. You've got to think on the positive side. But it will be like starting all over again. We are worried.

"A lot of our customers come because of the parking facilities [above] - quite a lot are disabled. We are uncertain about our future."

Emma Hughes, who runs Bwyd Blasus deli and butcher's, said: "We would rather stay here, end of story. People in Llanelli know where the market is.

"It’s being forced on us. There'd be the upheaval for everybody."

She wondered why the council didn’t take down the overhead car park in stages, leaving the market where it was.