Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The landmark St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli has been sold to a new retail firm. London-based NewRiver Retail Limited, the UK’s fourth largest owner/manager of shopping centres, has bought the centre from insurance group Axa on a freehold basis for £29.2m. “It’s all good news as far as the shopping centre is concerned,” said St Elli Centre manager Andrew Stephens. “This is a thriving and vibrant shopping centre which will always be attractive to investors,” said Mr Stephens. “The sale has been on the table for a number of months, but contracts have now been exchanged and we are able to talk openly about the move. “In terms of what happens on a day-to-day basis at the shopping centre, nothing really changes. We have new owners, but it is business as usual and we view the sale as a real vote of confidence in the centre and the town of Llanelli. “Everyone who works here is very proud of the centre and we think the people of Llanelli and West Wales should be very proud of the centre ...

Llanelli received another shopping boost today with the opening of a new shop in the popular St Elli Shopping Centre. Card Centre started moving in to the centre last week and staff have today reported brisk trading on the first proper day of opening. The shop is the second new retail outlet to open in Llanelli following the launch of a new independent travel agency, Eastgate Travel, in Park Street. Andrew Stephens, the President of Llanelli Chamber of Trade and the manager of the St Elli Shopping Centre, said he was delighted to see the new shops opening. “It’s been a very good week for Llanelli, with the opening of Llanelly House being a new attraction. “Getting a good mix of attractions, shops, restaurants, cafes, service businesses and leisure facilities is crucial for any town centre. “I take my hat off to the team at Eastgate Travel for their new venture and welcome the Card Centre – a Welsh-based chain of shops – to the St Elli Shopping Centre. It’s all great news for Llanelli...

Two travel experts are bucking the trend of shop closures in Llanelli by opening a new independent travel agency in the town centre. Mark Maunder and Anne Wiltshire have more than 70 years of experience in the travel industry behind them. They have opened Eastgate travel, opposite the new Ffwrnes theatre, at No18 Park Street. “It’s a big move for us to set up a brand new business, but we are backing Llanelli town centre,” said Mark. “Our new shop is in a great location and we are looking forward to welcoming customers to Eastgate Travel, a firm committed to great personal service.” Andrew Stephens, the President of Llanelli Chamber of Trade, said he was delighted to see Mark and Anne opening their new shop. “There have been many positive developments in Llanelli town centre and it is great news to see a brand new shop, owned and run by local people. I wish them every success and hope the people of Llanelli and district support Mark and Anne in their new venture.” Mark and Anne are pa...

No room at the inn for this column in Llanelli Star this week, so here it is . . .  The team at the St Elli Shopping Centre is gearing up for one of its largest ever craft fairs tomorrow (Thursday). “We are expecting something like 26 different craft stalls,” said St Elli Shopping Centre manager Andrew Stephens. The event is part of our regular series of events held in conjunction with the Gilded Lili Craft Fair. “The craft fairs are always popular but we are expecting a record number of stallholders to attend on Thursday. “There will be something for everyone – and, of course, all our regular centre shops will be glad to welcome visitors old and new to the centre.” ------------------------------------------- July events This week until Sat 6th, Eon, ASDA Entrance Thu 4th Fri 5th Sat 6th, Gilded Lili Craft Fair, Pyramid area Thursday 4th, Work Ways advertise our services to the unemployed more in line with the changes in government legislation, Cone area Market Hall entr...

This is the new 'Shop Elli' column for the Llanelli Star -  One of Llanelli’s oldest and best-loved businesses has given a vote of confidence to the St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli. Saul Cass Jewellers has just renewed its lease at No14 in the centre. “It’s very much a vote of confidence in the success of the centre,” said owner Laurence Cass, the third generation of the Cass family to run the business “We have been associated with the St Elli Shopping Centre from the very beginning. We were one of the ‘founder’ shops when it first opened more than 15 years ago. “We had a long and happy association with the centre and we obviously look forward to it continuing for many years to come after signing a new lease agreement with the shopping centre owners. “Footfall through the centre is very impressive and we have a large clientele of regular customers who know our friendly staff so very well. We see the new lease as a slap on the back to the St Elli shopping centre for a job ...

The St Elli Shopping Centre, the trading hub of Llanelli, welcomes another new 'shop' on Friday. It's going to be a 'shop with a difference' - an innovative mini car showroom featuring cars from Sinclair Volkswagen Swansea. “It’s something of a novelty when it comes to what we offer as a shopping centre,” said centre manager Andrew Stephens. “It’s very different to our more usual ‘shop’ operations, but Sinclair Volkswagen Swansea were keen on the unit and we think it brings something new and fresh to the shopping centre. “What is interesting is that there are companies out there willing and prepared to invest in Llanelli. “You get all this doom and gloom talk on occasions about Llanelli town centre as a shopping destination, but the High Street and the shopping experience is changing all the time. “It’s good news for the St Elli Shopping Centre that Sinclair Volkswagen Swansea are coming to town. "The arrival follows hot on the heels of the opening of th...

The sweet smell of success is arriving in Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre this week. And the opening of the new Yankee Candle shop brings good jobs news for staff at the soon-to-close Dorothy Perkins fashion shop in Vaughan Street. Six members of the Dorothy Perkins team will be making the short walk to the cosy new Yankee Candle shop under the St Elli Pyramid. “It’s a spot of luck for us in that it has made recruitment for our new Yankee Candle shop very easy,” said proprietor Catherine Williams. “They say that as one door closes, another one opens. Gemma Buffrey from Dorothy Perkins is going to be our shop manager and she is bringing the other ladies with her, so I am getting a whole team all in one go.” Manager Gemma said: “Dorothy Perkins is due to close next month, so you can imagine it has been a stressful time for everyone. But this opportunity has come along, thanks to Catherine, and we are all chuffed to bits to get jobs at Yankee Candle.” The opening of the Yankee Cand...

The leader of Llanelli’s business community has called for an urgent meeting with the organisers of the 2014 National Eisteddfod, a festival now being branded as ‘Carmarthenshire’s Eisteddfod’. “Businesses throughout Carmarthenshire should be involved in discussions and preparations for the 2014 Eisteddfod, said Andrew Stephens, president of Llanelli’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce. The appeal follows a host of ‘mixed messages’ about next year’s Eisteddfod, including disquiet about the cash Carmarthen Town Council is giving to the festival. “I think it’s important that the festival organisers get a grip of the situation very quickly and work with businesses and traders to ensure that the 2014 Eisteddfod is a big success,” said Mr Stephens. “On the one hand, we seem to have a row developing in Carmarthen over their contribution to what they perceive is an event which will benefit Llanelli. “Here in Llanelli, we can give a contrary view and tell you that we have recent, very unhappy, m...

The Llanelli branch of the Cancer Research Campaign is holding its annual charity quiz night. Branch chairman Andrew Stephens said:" Following the success of past quiz events, we would like to invite business and teams and individuals to take part in this year’s Charity Quiz Night, to be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at the Halfway Hotel, Pemberton, starting promptly at 7pm. "The entry fee is £12 per team of four. "Those not able to attend are asked to think about donating a raffle prize for the evening. "As usual, we will be presenting our much-sought-after Cancer Research UK/Cymru Perpetual Cup. "There will be bar meals available on request and, of course, the bar will be open to refresh the parts other questions cannot reach!" For further information and an entry form, contact - Andrew G Stephens, Tel: 07799380549, E-mail andrew@stelli.co.uk