Carmarthenshire County Council says it hopes that the new Atriwm scheme [being developed at Carmarthen’s former Debenhams] will draw footfall to the town.
Shoppers in Carmarthen have become used to scaffolding draping the town’s former Debenhams store, but inside things really are changing.
Soft play equipment has been installed on one floor alongside what will be indoor adventure golf, a TAG active arena, a small electric go-karting track and a cafe.
Elsewhere a 24-hour gym is in the works with spin and activity studios, while a range of health treatment rooms are taking shape including dental space.
Health and social care trainers will have a viewing room to observe trainees in a life-like hospital ward on one side and a kitchen and living room interior on the other.
The conversion of the former Debenhams store at St Catherine’s Walk Shopping Centre building has been a long time coming and is expected to cost £41 million. Carmarthenshire Council, which is behind the project, said it anticipated an early 2027 completion date.
“It’s going to be amazing,” said Cllr Hazel Evans, whose cabinet portfolio includes regeneration.
Asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) if she thought the investment would be worth it, she was unequivocal.
“When you consider what will happen here and what footfall it will draw into the town, it is a long-term investment and worth it,” she said. “There’s nothing worse than a redundant building.”
Atriwm, as the building will be known, will be occupied by Hywel Dda University Health Board, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the council, which will move its customer service hub there and run the gym and children’s activity area.
Health board services will include community and children’s nursing teams, children and young people’s therapies, and dental, sexual health, phlebotomy, podiatry and mental health services.
Health board director of strategy and planning Lee Davies said bringing together many services in one building was a step forward in community care. He said: “This integrated approach will make it easier for people to receive the support they need, enhance outcomes, and help our population lead healthier lives.”
A UWTSD spokeswoman said Atriwm will support delivery of its BSc sports and exercise therapy programme.
She said: “The space will provide an additional teaching facility that gives students access to a modern clinical environment closer to service users.”
Around 20 students and five members of staff will use the space, she said, with a focus on clinical education, injury rehabilitation and supporting community health and well-being.
The council bought the building after Debenhams’ high street business went into administration.
The purchase was funded as part of a successful bid by the Plaid-Independent-led authority in 2021 for UK Government funding under the old Levelling Up Fund.
A redevelopment scheme was approved the following January, a construction contract was awarded in 2023, and work began in 2024.
The rising cost along with delays have been criticised by the council’s opposition Labour group, with one councillor calling for an inquiry earlier this year after previously unidentified structural issues were found. Some wall façades are being rebuilt as a result of these defects and new wall ties inserted.
The council was initially awarded £19.6 million Levelling Up Fund money based on what it said was a conceptual design in 2021. As time progressed, it said, a “significantly enhanced scheme” including additional healthcare provision and an activity centre along with the remediated structural issues had increased the project’s scope and complexity – all this on top of UK-wide building sector inflation.
The council estimates the remedial works will cost £4.2 million and said the original independent building survey hadn’t identified any significant structural issues apart from the roof. Although the building only opened in 2010 the council said this was a recognised risk associated with converting large buildings and not uncommon in projects of this sort.
A new roof has been installed on which sits a 63-panel solar array and rows of mechanical and electrical plant machinery.
Additional grant funding has been secured, and the council expects maintenance costs will be covered by a tenant service charge.
The £41 million project is being funded by the UK Government (£20.19 million), council (£11.458 million) Welsh Government (£9.045 million), and partner contributions of just over £309,000.
The council said principal contractor Bouygues UK has subcontracted packages of work meaning the majority of the workforce has been local. A total of 31 apprentices have been involved and 21 “new entrant” jobs created, along with engagement with local schools.
The council described the Atriwm project as larger and more ambitious than at the outset, with greater benefits expected for the local economy.
In a “frequently asked questions” page, it said: “While challenges have emerged during delivery, the objective remains to create a major town centre asset that will service communities across Carmarthenshire for decades to come.”
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