GWR helps in conversion plan for goods shed

Great Western Railway (GWR) has pledged almost £16,000 to help boost efforts to transform a Grade II-listed railway goods shed into a new heritage centre in Llanelli.

The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust aims to turn the building into a social enterprise and community hub. As such it will be used for a number of different applications to help address social, economic, environmental and cultural issues.

Located in the Tyisha area of Llanelli, the goods shed was built by GWR in 1875. It is in one of the top 10 per cent most deprived wards in Wales. Its transformation will enhance Carmarthenshire County Council’s plans to regenerate this disadvantaged area.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator has a Communities and Education Programme to assist schools, colleges, community and other not-for-profit organisations.

Nia Griffith MP, who chairs the Trust, said: “We are very grateful to GWR for this grant which will enable us to create a heritage area within the goods shed to allow the community and visitors to access this iconic heritage asset.

“The project will allow people to experience and understand the significance of a building which has been on their doorstep for more than a century. We are looking forward to welcoming people to the Goods Shed early in the new year, when the first phase of the renovation will be complete, with office space and rooms for community use to let out. We’ve had considerable interest from people who have already come forward with photos and reminiscences of Llanelli’s railway and industrial heritage, and are keen to see this preserved and celebrated in the Goods Shed.”          

GWR’s funding will help to maximise the visitor experience through:

• Interpretive panels and artefacts
• A projection wall providing archive imagery and oral accounts
• Volunteer guides who will help tell stories to bring the goods shed to life
• Access to the heritage area will be free and GWR says it will be working with the local community, volunteers and schools to encourage ongoing engagement and participation.

GWR community manager Emma Morris said: “We’re delighted to support the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust and believe the heritage centre will be a welcome addition to Llanelli’s cultural and industrial heritage and be an especially important link to the heritage of the GWR.”

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