Art gallery plan for Llanelli town centre
Shoppers in Llanelli town centre will soon be able to relax and be inspired by the work of local artists thanks to some divine intervention from a local church, in partnership with the county council.
Rev Bill Chapman, his wife Ellen and the council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, have been the driving force behind a new coffee shop and art gallery which will open later this year in Vaughan Street.
It will be housed at the former Victoria Wine shop – a building which has lain empty and in a state of disrepair for over a decade.
Carmarthenshire County Council has leased the building to Elim Church and is supporting them to carry out a full refurbishment.
Contractors are already on-site.
When complete, local artists and students will be able to exhibit their work and offer them for sale.
Rev Bill Chapman said: “It all started over two years ago. As a church offering a range of community services, we very much observe what’s going on locally and tailor our services to meet local needs.
“We saw that there was a need for a business like this in Llanelli, and we thought that if we and the council could work together, that perhaps we could have access to a shop and we could put a business in.
“The Leader was behind it from the start, and made arrangements for us to meet different people.”
The coffee shop will provide an upmarket feel, and local artists will be invited to use the gallery space to exhibit their work.
“It will have comfy chairs so that people can come in and relax,” added Bill.
“We will also be developing an outlet for local artists with a gallery where they can have their work on display and for sale, and we’ll also be working closely with colleges and universities so that students can get involved.
“We hope it will act as a catalyst for the town centre - we believe that if someone puts something back in, others will soon follow.”
Cllr Meryl Gravell, Leader of the council, added: “This is a very exciting venture, and one which we are very proud to support.
“This will provide a much-needed boost to the town centre, and coupled with the regeneration of the town with the Eastgate development, the future is looking very bright in Llanelli.”
Rev Bill Chapman and his wife Ellen are pictured with council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, outside the disused shop building in Vaughan Street which is being transformed in to a vibrant coffee shop and art gallery. Pic Jeff Connell
Rev Bill Chapman, his wife Ellen and the council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, have been the driving force behind a new coffee shop and art gallery which will open later this year in Vaughan Street.
It will be housed at the former Victoria Wine shop – a building which has lain empty and in a state of disrepair for over a decade.
Carmarthenshire County Council has leased the building to Elim Church and is supporting them to carry out a full refurbishment.
Contractors are already on-site.
When complete, local artists and students will be able to exhibit their work and offer them for sale.
Rev Bill Chapman said: “It all started over two years ago. As a church offering a range of community services, we very much observe what’s going on locally and tailor our services to meet local needs.
“We saw that there was a need for a business like this in Llanelli, and we thought that if we and the council could work together, that perhaps we could have access to a shop and we could put a business in.
“The Leader was behind it from the start, and made arrangements for us to meet different people.”
The coffee shop will provide an upmarket feel, and local artists will be invited to use the gallery space to exhibit their work.
“It will have comfy chairs so that people can come in and relax,” added Bill.
“We will also be developing an outlet for local artists with a gallery where they can have their work on display and for sale, and we’ll also be working closely with colleges and universities so that students can get involved.
“We hope it will act as a catalyst for the town centre - we believe that if someone puts something back in, others will soon follow.”
Cllr Meryl Gravell, Leader of the council, added: “This is a very exciting venture, and one which we are very proud to support.
“This will provide a much-needed boost to the town centre, and coupled with the regeneration of the town with the Eastgate development, the future is looking very bright in Llanelli.”
Rev Bill Chapman and his wife Ellen are pictured with council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, outside the disused shop building in Vaughan Street which is being transformed in to a vibrant coffee shop and art gallery. Pic Jeff Connell
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