The controversial demolition of the former Wilko store in Carmarthen has been delayed. Work had been due to start at the end of October but has been pushed back to some point early in 2027 because, according to the council, the “wider programme has since changed”.
Background and council plans
Wilko closed in the town’s Friars Park in October 2023 after the collapse of the nationwide chain. The retailer had occupied the 57,599 sq ft site since 2006 when former tenants Tesco moved to a bigger premises in nearby Morfa Lane.
Having been empty for a number of months, Carmarthenshire council bought the site in 2024 so that it could “secure its long-term future”. Earlier this year, the authority confirmed that the building is to be totally demolished and the existing car park redeveloped at a cost of around £2.5m – a sum funded by the Welsh Government with “no direct financial implication for the council”, according to the council's cabinet member for regeneration, councillor Hazel Evans.
Protests and business interest
Tearing down the building has proved contentious, fresh on the heels of more controversy surrounding the £41m revamp of the former Debenhams store elsewhere in the town centre. One business keen to take over the building is Buzz Parks, which wanted to create a trampoline park with a ninja activity area, virtual reality space, soft play, and potentially climbing walls inside the former store.
Company director Craig Lloyd had been in talks with the council and said the building was in good condition although some work needed to be carried out, including to the roof. Mr Lloyd and Buzz Parks founder Jez James said they kept in touch with the council between July 2025 and March this year and contacted Cllr Hazel Evans for an update. According to Mr Lloyd, a reply said their request had been passed onto the relevant authorities who would be in touch. In reality this never materialised because of “staff absence” at the council. Therefore Mr Lloyd only learnt of plans to demolish the building he wanted to take over when it was reported this summer.
Campaigners including representatives from Buzz Parks gathered outside the building last Friday in a show of protest against the planned demolition. Protest organiser Scott Bayes said the group was calling on the council to "re-engage properly with Buzz Parks before this opportunity is lost forever". He added: "Buzz Parks is an experienced operator with a serious plan and is willing to invest its own money in Carmarthen. Its proposal could create jobs, deliver much-needed facilities for families, and bring thousands of people into the town centre. The council should be doing everything possible to explore this opportunity."
Council and Welsh Government response
Explaining why the council did not get back to Mr Lloyd's company about its plans for the site, Cllr Evans said: “Unfortunately, due to unexpected long-term staff absence, further correspondence from Mr Lloyd was not responded to and we apologise for not providing an update to him on this matter. We welcome investment proposals that support Carmarthen town centre and would be happy to discuss alternative opportunities within the town with Mr Lloyd. There are a number of potential sites available and, while not all are in council ownership, we would be happy to facilitate discussions with relevant landowners and landlords if this would be of interest.”
With regards to the decision to demolish the building she added: “We welcome the public interest in the former Wilko site and share the community’s view that its future development must support the wider regeneration of the town. With the Welsh Government fully funding the demolition, and essential roof works alone estimated at around £1m, demolition is the most cost-effective way to unlock the site’s potential and prepare it for a productive long-term use.”
Siân Gwenllian, the Welsh Government’s cabinet minister for local government, said: "This is a welcome step forward for Carmarthen town centre. Clearing this site is about more than demolition. It's about creating the conditions for productive, long-term use that supports the town's continued regeneration. I'm pleased that Welsh Government funding through the Transforming Towns Programme is enabling Carmarthenshire County Council to progress this work and I look forward to seeing the site brought back into use in a way that benefits the local community and businesses."
The council is now in discussions with interested parties about the future of the Friars Park site, although it remains tight-lipped on what kind of building or business is likely to eventually replace what was Wilko. A spokesman said on Wednesday: "Due to the commercial discussions ongoing surrounding the end use of site the council is not in a position to provide any further information at this stage. We will provide an update as and when developments with interested parties progress."
