“Llanelli is a market town, and it needs a destination market to bring shoppers back to the town centre,” Carl said. “Moving traders into a repurposed shop unit is not the answer. We should be building on Llanelli’s heritage, not hollowing it out.”

“Llanelli deserves a destination market — a place that gives people a real reason to come into town. A thriving market would draw visitors from far and wide and, most importantly, bring local people back into the town centre. That’s how we restore footfall, support small businesses, and make Llanelli a place people are proud to shop in again.”

In this short video from Llanelli Market, Carl explains why the council’s plans to demolish and relocate the market risk undermining the town’s identity — and why he believes Llanelli deserves a destination market at its heart.

A personal connection to Llanelli Market

Carl’s commitment to the market is rooted in his own experience. As a teenager, he worked on the pet stall tucked into the corner of the market hall, and before him, his mother worked at Andrew Frost’s stall. “I know first-hand how important the market is — not just for the traders, but for the community spirit it creates,” he explained. “It’s part of who we are.”

“This isn’t abstract for me. As a teenager I worked on the pet stall in the corner of Llanelli Market, and before that my mother worked at Frost’s Newsagents. I know what the market means to families, to livelihoods, and to the life of the town. That’s why I’m determined to see it thrive again.”

Traders’ concerns

The council’s plans have sparked widespread unease. Reports in Swansea Bay News highlight that traders fear losing footfall and identity if the market is shifted into the old Woolworths unit. Some see the move as a step backwards, with calls for a trader-led vision that protects livelihoods and restores confidence in the town centre.

Tied to Carl’s values

Carl’s stance reflects the principles set out in his Communities, Homes and Businesses plan. He has consistently argued that small and independent businesses are the backbone of Carmarthenshire’s towns. His manifesto calls for:

• Supporting local traders with fair rents and accessible premises.
• Keeping markets at the heart of town centres, rather than sidelining them.
• Regenerating town centres in ways that respect heritage while meeting modern needs.

“Markets are more than just places to shop,” Carl added. “They’re places where people meet, where young people get their first jobs, and where small businesses can grow. If we lose that, we lose part of Llanelli’s soul.”

A call for a better vision

Carl is urging Carmarthenshire Council to rethink its approach and work with traders to create a destination market that draws people back into Llanelli. “We need ambition, not managed decline,” he said. “Let’s make Llanelli a place people want to visit again — and that starts with a thriving market at its heart.”