As part of the Ten Towns programme delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, the County’s rural market towns have received support to develop exciting new projects to add vibrancy and economic benefit to their town.

This month, the focus turns to Kidwelly, exploring how the town has benefited from funding through Carmarthenshire County Council and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund [UKSPF].

Kidwelly, an historic coastal town located on the Gwendraeth river is home to a recognisable and well- known Norman castle as well as a vibrant and popular town centre. The town is steeped in rich history and heritage, including the legend of the lucky black cat and warrior Princess Gwenllian.

A key focus for Kidwelly is the redevelopment of the towns square, ensuring the space can be utilised for a range of events, as well as allowing the successful monthly market to expand.

The Town Council successfully secured financial support to redevelop the town square, which has created a welcoming and popular space for the community.

Kidwelly square is hosting the Christmas Light Switch on November 16, where you can meet Santa and experience stalls and live music.

This year, Kidwelly is hosting Carmarthenshire Winter Pride. The inclusive, family friendly event will take on December 14 at the John Burns Centre and will include stalls, entertainment and LGBTQIA+ art exhibitions. The event is open to all members of the community no matter their age.

A number of businesses in Kidwelly have taken advantage of the Revitalising Rural Town Centre fund, which has been made available to non- residential premises to refresh the exterior of commercial premises within the town.

Once completed the town will be refreshed and vibrant for its visitors. A total of five business have benefitted and have been able to enhance their business premises.

Other improvements are scheduled for completion by early spring 2025, including increased signage, linking the impressive Kidwelly castle to the town. The aim of this project is to direct the thousands of tourists that visit the castle each year into the town to grow footfall.

Further small - scale enhancement projects will take place in Glan yr Afon car park, supported by the Tackling Towns fund, with work ongoing.

CETMA, Community Engagement, Technology, Media and Arts, a Kidwelly based social enterprise, has been supported to coordinate events within the town to maximise Kidwelly’s tourist potential and build community cohesion.

Caru Cydwelli was established to support businesses and other groups to create their own community led events, that encourages the community to work together to promote what is great about Kidwelly.

Jonathan Williams from CETMA noted: “We’re very thankful to the Ten Towns Initiative, Carmarthenshire County Council and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund for providing us with the funding to carry out positive actions within Kidwelly.

“It was great to see so many members of the community and local businesses get on board with the project. It shows that many people think that Kidwelly has massive tourist potential, and we all need to work together to make it happen.”

CETMA Kidwelly is the central hub for many projects in the area, home to the foodbank and Kidwelly Community Fridge as well as providing sanitary supplies and baby boxes to those who need it most. SPF support has been given to CETMA to expand its circular economy project, which gives local residents the opportunity to purchase second hand equipment as opposed to buying new.

Jonathan continued: “Our circular economy project which sees us refurbishing, PAT testing, and then distributing donated electrical items has been playing its part in ensuring that items are given a second life instead of ending up disposed of.

“The town has also benefitted from the Ten Towns Meanwhile spaces project. The Means were commissioned to explore accommodating small independent businesses into vacant high street premises.

“Christina Hill and her business Pretty Sip Boutique has benefited from a pop-up shop in the town, Christina commented on her experience as a new business:

“The help and support that I have been offered since taking part in the scheme has really helped to build my business, my confidence and my want to move things onto a face-to-face business.

“I would highly recommend anyone taking part in a scheme like this if they are wanting to trial their business and see whether it would be worth having a pop-up shop. I am definitely glad that I took the plunge and decided to trial my own pop-up. It has been an amazing experience and one I would tell anyone who wants to, to take.

“The Means have supported me all the way from visiting the shop and signing the tenancy to being there if there have been any issues.”