On February 15th, Menter Bro Dinefwr announced that they have been successful with a bid for funding to develop a community centre and project worth over £2 million in Llandeilo.

Through the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Asset Transfer program (CAT2), the language and community development enterprise, established in 1999, have received £1.1 million towards the project. The project will refurbish Llandeilo Shire Hall and turn the ancient and historic building into a contemporary and accessible community centre for everyone, and will be a new facility for local residents and visitors alike. The building is an ideal location in a busy area in the centre of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire.

The centre will offer a wide range of services and provisions for people of all ages and backgrounds. It will include offices for Menter Bro Dinefwr, a chamber and office for Llandeilo Town Council, a heritage and cultural centre, spaces for exhibitions and pop-up shops, offices, meeting and training rooms, and a conference centre, with audio equipment, video conferencing facilities and simultaneous translation equipment.

Menter Bro Dinefwr’s Chief Executive, Owain Gruffydd, said;

“This is fantastic news, not only for Menter Bro Dinefwr but also for Llandeilo and the wider area. It is one of the biggest community investments ever in the area and it will develop one of the town’s oldest buildings into a community centre that will be open and accessible to all. It will also contribute towards economic, community and linguistic development.”

He added:Bro Dinefwr

“Establishing a centre in the middle of the community has been an aspiration for Menter Bro Dinefwr for many years, and all work by staff, volunteers and the professional team has been worth while. We are extremely grateful to a number of partners, especially Llandeilo Town Council and the Big Lottery Fund, for making it all possible.”

Local County Councillor Edward Thomas, who has been a part of the project from the beginning, sayd;

“The centre will be a great development for Llandeilo and the whole area, and the Town Council is looking forward to working with Menter Bro Dinefwr on this exciting project.”

Menter Bro Dinefwr will take responsibility for the building through a long term lease from current owners, Llandeilo Town Council. It is envisaged that construction work will begin during the summer, with the aim of opening the centre to the public during spring 2019.