Bouygues UK starts work to transform Old Debenhams store into State-Of-The Art Health And Wellbeing HWB

Bouygues UK has begun works to transform an old retail store in Carmarthen into a state-of-the-art health, wellbeing, educational and leisure hwb that will include a high-spec family entertainment centre.

As lead contractor on the project, Bouygues UK are now working closely with Carmarthenshire County Council, in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, to repurpose the building that will deliver a wide range of facilities under one roof – it will be called Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb.

Once complete, Carmarthenshire residents will be able to access community health services at the Health and Wellbeing Hwb that are being provided by Hywel Dda University Health Board. Alongside health and wellbeing services, the remodelled building will partner with Actif Sport and Leisure to facilitate a new 24-hour gym, which will include top of the range equipment, and flexible fitness suites for group and individual workouts.

Carmarthenshire County Council will also be introducing a unique leisure-time offering for the area, with a high-spec family entertainment centre that will include a range of activities that people young and old can enjoy together, including indoor adventure golf, toy town soft play, E-Go Karting and TAG Active. The entertainment centre will also house a café and party rooms,

Housed in the former Debenhams department store in St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen, it is expected that once open to the public it will increase footfall for the town centre and drive further economic resilience for local traders and retailers. When the department store closed in May 2021 the knock-on effect on trade in the town centre was significant. It is hoped that the new all-encompassing Hwb – the first of its kind in Carmarthenshire – will encourage more people from the region into the town centre to take advantage of the public and leisure services that will be available under one roof.

Bouygues UK has already been working closely with sub-contractors from the area on its other prestigious project at Pentre Awel in Llanelli and will continue to do so at the Carmarthenshire Hwb – with a further commitment to upskill all those working in its supply chain on the importance of embedding sustainability into their work.

John Boughton, Bouygues UK Managing Director of Wales, said: “It’s fantastic to be working alongside Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David on the Hwb, bringing nearly 8,000 square metres of commercial space in the town centre back to life.

“By refurbishing rather than rebuilding the old department store, we will align Bouygues UK’s commitment to climate and environmental sustainability, and we will continue to do so as we work on the Hwb with our local supply chain. It will prove to be a vital and accessible base in the community for education, health, and leisure.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans added: “The Health and Wellbeing Hwb development will significantly boost the local economy and increase footfall within Carmarthen town centre. The financial support of the Welsh Government and UK Government has been essential in us being in a position to deliver this project for our town centre. It will be a place that local people can easily access frontline healthcare services as well as services provided by our Council’s dedicated Customer Service advisors.

“The Family Entertainment Centre is an all-weather, indoor activity for families to engage in no matter their age. The facilities within the Entertainment Centre are tailored to promoting healthy and active lives for all. The intergenerational nature of the Entertainment Centre means both children and adults can get involved. I am looking forward to keeping a close eye on how the Health and Wellbeing Hwb progresses in its development.”

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda University Health Board added: “This is an exciting development. This proposal will bring together a wide range of health and well-being services in a central location. Alongside other services, it will benefit our local community in Carmarthen and its surrounding area, now and in the future. We look forward to working with our partners and seeing the development progress over the coming months.”

Professor Elwen Evans, KC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, commented: “The development of the Health and Wellbeing Hwb offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with partners to explore ways of revitalising the town centre through a mix of leisure, cultural and education opportunities. The University looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board on this initiative which aims to benefit residents and businesses.”