Carmarthen Health and Well-being Hwb
[Carmarthenshire County Council Press Release, issued 16 July 2024]
Carmarthenshire County Council, in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids is now taking the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb to the next stage. The work is being undertaken by lead contractor Bouygues UK. The funding to deliver on this prestigious building includes, £7m from Welsh Government Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund [IRCF], and funding of £18m from the UK Government.
The former Carmarthen Debenhams site is being transformed into a state- of - the- art Hwb, that will deliver on a wide range of health, wellbeing, educational, leisure and customer services all under one roof. At this integrated facility, Carmarthenshire residents can access community health services at the Health and Wellbeing Hwb that are being provided by Hywel Dda University Health Board. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is exploring opportunities to develop its offer to the community in relation to Health and Wellbeing.
Alongside health and wellbeing services, the repurposed 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, located on the first floor of the Health and Wellbeing Hwb, a high-spec family entertainment centre 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, so families can socialise together. You can also visit the Health and Wellbeing Hwb, for a wide range of help, support, and advice from specialist advisors. For more information about where you can currently find these services, including opening times, please visit their website.
Work commences at the Health and Wellbeing Hwb this week and will be open to the public in early 2026.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans commented:
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 said:
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, added:
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.
John Boughton, Managing Director of Wales and the Southwest at Bouygues UK commented:
It’s fantastic to be working alongside Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids 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.
To keep updated about the Health and Wellbeing Hwb development, please visit the website.