Carmarthen shopping centre celebrates success
Carmarthen's newest shopping centre has smashed all expectations and forged its way to the top of the UK shopping league.
Shops and restaurants at the £70 million St Catherine’s Walk are among the best performing in the country.
Latest figures show that Debenhams restaurant was the second busiest in the UK for a day in August – beaten only by the company’s flagship store in Oxford Street.
Apollo Cinema was the second busiest in Wales on July 12 and on May 31 Frankie and Benny’s was the third busiest UK branch.
On June 7 Costa Coffee was the most successful branch in the whole of Wales and the South West.
The centre has attracted over 150,000 visitors every week since it opened, hitting 180,000 on a number of occasions.
Shops have celebrated record takings and demand for restaurant places have seen customers queuing for up to an hour.
Delighted regeneration chiefs say the news is proof of Carmarthen’s position as a premier shopping and leisure destination.
Carmarthenshire County Council and Simons Developers have driven the development, which is attracting people from all over Wales.
Council Chief Executive Mark James said: “We are absolutely delighted with the latest trading figures.
“We were always confident that the development would be successful, but these figures have exceeded all expectations.
“St Catherine’s Walk has proved to be a huge success and has helped to put Carmarthen firmly on the national map.”
A host of big names stores including Debenhams, River Island and Top Shop, restaurants and an Apollo cinema have helped to pull in the crowds.
Other shops in the town centre have reported that they have benefitted from the increased footfall.
The scheme has also lead to the creation of 400 jobs in the town.
Council Leader Meryl Gravell said: “The development has helped to cement Carmarthen’s reputation as a first class destination for shopping and leisure facilities.
“These new trading figures highlight how popular the scheme has been and we have been thrilled by the response from residents and visitors alike.
Shops and restaurants at the £70 million St Catherine’s Walk are among the best performing in the country.
Latest figures show that Debenhams restaurant was the second busiest in the UK for a day in August – beaten only by the company’s flagship store in Oxford Street.
Apollo Cinema was the second busiest in Wales on July 12 and on May 31 Frankie and Benny’s was the third busiest UK branch.
On June 7 Costa Coffee was the most successful branch in the whole of Wales and the South West.
The centre has attracted over 150,000 visitors every week since it opened, hitting 180,000 on a number of occasions.
Shops have celebrated record takings and demand for restaurant places have seen customers queuing for up to an hour.
Delighted regeneration chiefs say the news is proof of Carmarthen’s position as a premier shopping and leisure destination.
Carmarthenshire County Council and Simons Developers have driven the development, which is attracting people from all over Wales.
Council Chief Executive Mark James said: “We are absolutely delighted with the latest trading figures.
“We were always confident that the development would be successful, but these figures have exceeded all expectations.
“St Catherine’s Walk has proved to be a huge success and has helped to put Carmarthen firmly on the national map.”
A host of big names stores including Debenhams, River Island and Top Shop, restaurants and an Apollo cinema have helped to pull in the crowds.
Other shops in the town centre have reported that they have benefitted from the increased footfall.
The scheme has also lead to the creation of 400 jobs in the town.
Council Leader Meryl Gravell said: “The development has helped to cement Carmarthen’s reputation as a first class destination for shopping and leisure facilities.
“These new trading figures highlight how popular the scheme has been and we have been thrilled by the response from residents and visitors alike.
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