Work starts on Llanelli Pumphouse project

Wales rugby stars Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones have joined a team of developers transforming an historic waterside Llanelli landmark building into a top restaurant.
Work has started on restoring the iconic and church-like structured Pumphouse (pictured above) that once operated massive gates on Llanelli’s North Dock.
The Scarlets and Sale, Wales and British Lions pair have formed a new company along with award-winning restaurateur Simon Wright and local entrepreneur Robert Williams.
The private company, Bendigo 9-10, was selected by the Llanelli Waterside joint venture partnership as the preferred developer to renovate and run The Pumphouse, which overlooks Llanelli’s North Dock.
Work on the project is now underway following planning and listed building consent and the scheme has benefited from a tourism investment grant and CADW funding.
It is part of the £250m redevelopment of the town’s waterside, which is being driven forward by a partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government and Carmarthenshire County Council.
County Chief Executive Mark James said: “The Pumphouse occupies a strategic position on North Dock and has been identified as one of the key projects in the Llanelli Waterside development.”
Plans put forward by Bendigo 9-10 for the listed building will create over 20 jobs and include the establishment of a 100 cover restaurant with a stylish bar area.
An integral part of the proposal is the development of a Welsh Chef Academy, designed in partnership with Coleg Sir Gar to cultivate the talents of the most promising catering students in the region.
Simon Wright, who will be responsible for the restaurant operation, has a strong background in the food industry being a partner in the award- winning Y Polyn restaurant at Nantgaredig and a former editor of the AA Restaurant Guide.
Mr Wright said, “This is an exciting development and one which we believe will significantly strengthen the region’s restaurant offering. We aim to offer top quality food with the strongest emphasis on the best Welsh produce and we hope to couple that with a facility to help develop a future generation of great Welsh chefs.”
Entrepreneur Mr Williams has extensive experience of high quality developments and renovation projects.
He is a founder member of the construction and development company WRW which has been retained as main contractor.
Mr Williams said, “We look forward to taking this project forward and are confident that our proposals will bring long-term benefits not only to Llanelli Waterside but to the wider region.”
Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration Jocelyn Davies AM said: “It is a delight that the Pumphouse has been transformed in a sympathetic way that not only builds on the links with Llanelli's built heritage but provides a tangible community benefit for the future through the training of young chefs.
"I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government's funding of £350,000 together with £157,000 from CADW has played an important role in placing this Grade 2 listed building firmly on the map as a destination for excellent food and a training facility linked to a top quality kitchen environment."
Bendigo 9-10’s sustainable and sympathetic conservation proposals have the potential to create a landmark feature that will place it firmly on the map as a destination for excellent food.
“The proposed introduction of a training academy is an exciting development and a tangible community benefit.
“It would be the first of its type in Wales, where young trainee chefs get the opportunity to develop in a dedicated training facility, allied to a top quality kitchen environment.”