They are historic buildings which were once home to legendary nightclubs. Some are also eyesores in need of major facelifts.
And many are set to be transformed as part of redevelopment plans, while there will also be new structures created in and around the town. We have been talking about some of them for years, but it seems they are now, finally, coming to fruition.
Last year we looked at all the projects that are set to transform the town and now there is progress to reveal - read on to find out more. You can get more Llanelli news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Market Street
In 2020, plans to replace the prominent building which was once home to the Altalia restaurant and the Barbican pub were revealed. The 19th century building, which has stood on the corner of Market Street and Stepney Street since the 1800s, will be replaced with commercial units and apartments as part of an investment to regenerate the town centre.
Plans to demolish the property were met with anger and controversy by local residents, with a petition being launched to try and save it. But Carmarthenshire Council said the historic building could not be redeveloped due to its poor structural condition. However, the new design is hoped to give a nod to its character by replicating its splayed corner. You can read more stories about Llanelli here.
The Market Street North scheme is one of a number of developments aiming to improve the appearance of the main shopping district in an attempt to attract more commercial interest and footfall. As well as the former Altalia building, the demolition of 8-16 Market Street is set to make way for a proposed new development which will include a mixed use arcade, including residential, retail, office and bar/restaurant units.
Work is currently underway on the site and scaffolding has been up for a number of months.
YMCA building
For decades the YMCA building, which has dominated part of Stepney Street, has remained derelict. The formerly grand building once contained a parlour, gymnasium, billiard room and swimming baths after opening in 1909 as Llanelli's first Young Men's Christian Association.
In the years that followed it went on to become home to a number of businesses, including a confectionery store and tanning studios to name but a few. But it is now set to be brought back to life with plans unveiled for it to be reconstructed into commercial units, office spaces and residential units.
The plans, commissioned by Carmarthenshire Council, aim to retain a lot of original features of the historic building - including the front facade and the existing staircase. Once completed, the building will house four commercial units and residential parking on the ground floor, office use on the first and residential units on the top floors.
Work has been underway since 2021 and the building now stands completely empty ready for its renovation.
Maes y Gors estate
Commonly known as the Four Tys, the estate was built on one of the town's most well-known roads during the 1960s. The Maes y Gors estate, in Station Road, was once a thriving community but the flats have now been razed to the ground.
The field that was once home to the flats will make way for new more modern properties to house families in the future. The flats were demolished earlier this year, leaving a prominent empty space in the area. It is a major step forward as part of the local authority’s plan to regenerate the Tyisha ward along with the wider Llanelli town centre area.
Murray Street
It was announced in 2020 that The Jail House and Bar Luna nightclub would be transformed into brand new apartments.
The doors of The Jail House and Bar Luna in Llanelli recently shut for good this month. Legendary Bar Luna, which had been due to close back in October, had its final night on Saturday, March 26. Now plans are in place to shut The Jail House from Thursday, March 31, which can be accessed through a different entrance of the same building.
New bar-restaurants, offices and serviced accommodation are replacing the nightclubs after a multi-million scheme was unanimously approved by Carmarthenshire councillors. Members of the planning committee said they had high hopes for the private sector arcade project, which will link Market Street with Eastgate and Stepney Place beyond.
Gin and restaurant operator Juniper Place, cocktail and restaurant brand Old Havana, and coffee company Carma Coffi are expected to occupy some of the space at the Y Linc development. It is hoped that more than 100 jobs will be created, excluding construction jobs. Some Welsh Government funding is expected.
Delta lakes
One of the biggest and most expensive developments to have ever been proposed for the region includes a state-of-the-art care home and assisted living and rehabilitation centre, outdoor leisure space, a wellness hotel, and the new leisure centre, as well as new housing.
Clinical services will be delivered at the new life science and wellness village in Delta Lakes, including physical rehabilitation, and there will be space provided for life science and health businesses. Research, training and skills development will also take place at the 83-acre site.
Work was supposed to get underway last summer but, much like other projects across the country, it was delayed due to the pandemic but now the life science and housing project in Llanelli looks to be a step closer after Carmarthenshire Council’s cabinet instructed senior council officers to agree a “final cost envelope” with the contractor in March, 2022. More details on the project were revealed towards the end of April - you can read more about that here.
Calon cinema
Restoration work has been taking place inside the town's historic cinema in recent years with the aim of bringing it back to its former glory. The 1938 art-deco building was a staple of the town and the era, providing residents with theatre productions and cinema screenings until 2011.
It was initially hoped that members of the public would be able to head inside at the end of 2020 but coronavirus restrictions meant that wasn't possible.
In February, 2022, the owner of Calon said in a statement on social media that Calon Cinema was moving forward to opening its pop-up offer this year.
