Having recently moved from Worthing on the Sussex coast to Llanelli, I’ve noticed some striking similarities between the two towns. Both enjoy enviable waterfronts—Worthing with its classic promenade and pier, Llanelli with its expansive Millennium Coastal Park and beautiful views over the estuary. Both towns also face challenges in revitalising their high streets, supporting independent businesses, and dealing with ageing infrastructure.
In Worthing, one of the biggest shocks this year was the sudden closure of the Grafton Multi‑Storey Car Park. This 440-space structure was shut in May 2025 after engineers found concrete deterioration inside the building. Though the steel frame was still considered stable, the risk of falling debris prompted an immediate closure on safety grounds. There was no time to plan—no phased exit. It simply had to shut.
The effect on the town was immediate. Visitors struggled to find parking near the seafront, and several nearby businesses reported a noticeable drop in footfall. While Worthing had other car parks available, the disruption was real. It also caused headaches for local residents and tenants at neighbouring flats like Knightsbridge House. This is on top of additional projects in Worthing that has caused temporary closure of the main Guildbourne Car Park.
One of the more unexpected consequences was the impact on the Worthing Bowl, the town’s long-running seafront bowling alley located just below the Grafton car park. A favourite with families, teenagers, and local leagues alike, the bowling alley lost much of its accessible parking overnight. The added inconvenience for regular customers led to a sharp decline in visitors, and questions remain about its long-term viability if redevelopment isn’t handled with care. It’s a clear example of how parking isn’t just about cars—it’s about sustaining the places people come together for leisure, community, and connection.
Credit is due to Worthing Borough Council for acting quickly and transparently, but the event highlighted how vulnerable town centres can be to the loss of core facilities.
Turning to Llanelli, it’s fair to say that the situation here is different—but with important similarities. The multi‑storey car park above the market building, constructed in the 1960s, is still safe but reaching the end of its life. Carmarthenshire County Council has announced proposals to relocate the market, possibly to the old Woolworths building, and to demolish the car park above it in due course. This is being driven by a broader vision for town centre redevelopment, supported by UK Government Levelling Up funding.
There is, however, a catch. In order to retain that government funding, redevelopment must be visibly underway and completed by Spring 2028. That looming deadline adds pressure to make decisions soon—possibly before all options and implications have been fully debated with the local community. While it’s understandable that councils don’t want to lose access to vital regeneration money, this must be balanced against the real-world needs of residents and traders who depend on a functioning, accessible town centre in the meantime.
The plans have caused understandable concern among market traders and local business owners. With more than 500 long-stay spaces potentially being lost, many fear the effect on town centre footfall—especially with Parc Trostre and other out-of-town retail parks offering free, easy parking.
I’ve seen this kind of concern before. In Worthing, traders were vocal in their frustration after the Grafton car park closed, even temporarily. Customers who once parked nearby and browsed the shops stopped coming. Some never came back. In Llanelli, the same risk exists—only now we have time to manage it properly.
A robust parking transition plan is essential. If long-stay users are to be displaced, there must be clear alternatives. That might involve reviewing permit schemes, signposting available bays, offering transitional discounts, or even rethinking how the market relocation is phased to maintain steady footfall. If these issues are left to the last minute, they will create avoidable harm.
Ultimately, the people of Llanelli want the town to thrive. So do I. We all want a clean, attractive, well-used market, modern facilities, and a welcoming high street that draws people in. But none of that will happen unless the town centre remains accessible and practical—particularly for older residents, local workers, and visiting families who need convenient parking.
Having seen how the Grafton situation unfolded, I believe Llanelli has a chance to show how this kind of transition should be done. Through careful planning, open communication, and a genuine commitment to supporting local businesses, we can protect what makes Llanelli special while still moving the town forward.
This is a moment not just to rebuild but to improve, and to do so with community voices at the heart of the process.
—John Ellis, Resident and Small Business Owner/Advocate