Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed that the former Wilko store in Carmarthen will be demolished and the surrounding car park redeveloped. The council owns the freehold of the Friars Park site and purchased the leasehold in 2024.
According to a council report, it would have cost approximately £1m to make the store fit for use again, mainly due to necessary roof repairs. Instead, the cabinet has agreed to knock down the building and redevelop the 250-space car park, which the report said did not meet modern parking standards or user expectations.
Council plans and funding
The report stated: "This would support the delivery of improved parking provision, enhanced user facilities, and a more attractive, fit-for-purpose asset that contributes positively to the long-term vitality of the town centre."
Cllr Hazel Evans, cabinet member for regeneration, said the work would cost around £2.5m and is fully funded by a Welsh Government grant. "There will be no direct financial implication for the council," she said. She added that discussions with interested parties about the site's future use will continue, though no formal agreement has been reached. Cllr Evans emphasised the need for clear communication with businesses at nearby Merlin's Walk shopping centre and adjoining residents to help mitigate disruption during the work.
The proposal was seconded by cabinet member for resources Cllr Alun Lenny, who represents the Carmarthen Town North and South ward. "I'm very happy to see it moving on," he said. "I'm very pleased that the cost is being matched fully by [a] Welsh Government grant."
Business reactions
Businesses at Merlin's Walk contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service expressed a desire for a retailer or retailers to occupy the demolished Wilko site in due course. Krystian Byczyk, owner of grocery store Food Plus with his wife Magdalena, said: "Wilko helped bring us more customers. Carmarthen is getting less shops as costs are killing us."
Katherine Chamberlain, manager of gift shop 925 Treats, said retail use would be preferable to something like a housing scheme. She added: "The car park is really busy – we don't really want it to be affected." James Deacon, manager of clothes shop Weird Fish, agreed. He added: "What sort of disruption are we talking about it?" Mr Deacon said footfall had declined. "I think Carmarthen is going downhill – something needs to happen," he said.
Wilko shut its doors at Friars Walk in 2023. The building was a Tesco store before that.
