Ammanford is looking forward to a bumper Christmas once work to enhance the centre of the town is completed.
 The works part of the County’s ambitious Regeneration Programme, are expected to de-clutter and modernise the street scene to benefit Ammanford in the long term, with more seating, some trees, additional CCTV to create a more attractive streetscape which will encourage more shoppers into the town.
Work on the enhancement scheme is progressing well with the Contractor currently working at the top and bottom end of Quay Street in order to keep to the target completion date on track despite the inclement weather conditions. The scheme is expected to be completed by the end of October 2012, well in advance of the Christmas shopping period.
Access to the shops is being maintained and the contractor’s programme seeks to minimise any disruption to traders, with any work to shop/property thresholds taking place in the early morning, before shops open. In the longer term the completed works will provide a contemporary and pedestrian friendly shopping environment for residents and visitors to the town.
There has been significant liaison with traders before the scheme started and Town Centre Manager Andrew Shufflebotham and Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd appointed community liaison officer Gail Jones are continuing this dialogue.
Alun Griffiths will be taking up residence in the Magnolia Tree, Quay Street, one day a week from Monday July 16th. Gail Jones will be on hand to answer any questions or queries the traders and public may have about the works.
She said: “There will also be a number of displays providing information on forthcoming community projects, which include an exciting fund raising event that will bring the community together in order to purchase Christmas lights for the new trees to be planted in Quay Street and the chance to become A Guinness World Record Holder!”
Anyone visiting the shop will also be able to view plans and drawings, showing how the regeneration works are progressing.
Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd have also set up a free phone number if anyone needs to contact them. The number is 08443350200 and the phone will be manned Monday to Saturday 8 am to 5 pm. There is also an answering service if they are unable to answer your call within these hours.
Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The work being carried out in Quay Street will give Ammanford a more modern and streamlined shopping area which will be more appealing and should encourage more people to come into the town centre to shop.
“The contractors are making every effort to make sure that traders can carry on with business as usual.”
Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “By the end of the next financial year Carmarthenshire County Council and the Welsh Government will have invested close to £3m in the regeneration of Ammanford.
“The Quay Street enhancement is a part of an overall regeneration programme for the town which includes plans to redevelop the Old Police Station site, to redevelop Foundry Row together with a number of environmental improvements that have already been carried out at Arcade Square and Margaret Street Junction.
“I am delighted that the work to enhance Quay Street is underway and is due to be completed by the end of October.
“The new-look Quay Street will give the town centre a huge boost and traders and shoppers can look forward to a bumper Christmas.”