Responding to a Crisis on the High Street: ATCM Wales

The retail causalities for 2018 continue to grow. High streets across the UK face an incredibly challenging climate.

So severe has been the contraction of retail that even some of the best known retail brands have not been immune from store closures and disruption including Debenhams, M&S and House of Fraser. Neither has the disruption been limited to just high street retail. More recently, even well known restaurant chains having admitted to being under pressure as too are other footfall generators like Post Offices and banks.

The next meeting of ATCM Wales will explore the challenges in town centres across the nation and how town centre managers and BIDs are responding in terms of short-term fixes like dealing with vacant property and longer-term solutions such as supporting local business start-ups, inward investment or town centre diversification.

We will also look at UK-wide developments that have emerged as a result of these challenges such as the High Street 2030 Select Committee in Westminster.

There will also be an update on ATCM’s work to support positive change through new strategic alliances and a new focus on high street reinvention.

About Llanelly House

Llanelly House is the heartbeat of Llanelli and one of the most outstanding early Georgian buildings in Wales. The history, the building and its occupants reflect the triumphs and tribulations of the town and the influence Llanelli has had throughout the world.

Llanelly House has been described as one of the finest early 18th Century town houses in Wales. That description pre-dated archaeological work and investigative contracts which revealed the full splendour of the original design and a wealth of panelling and paintings which greatly enhances its importance.

The house was substantially re-built in 1714 by Sir Thomas Stepney. The building fell into massive decline, was derelict and at a critical stage by 2009. The Trust, Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust, successfully applied for and secured full funding to restore this Georgian gem.

Full site mobilization commenced in 2011 to undertake the restoration works, with the doors opening to the public on the 25th October 2013.