A historic Grade II-listed railway goods shed in Llanelli is to be transformed into a thriving heritage centre thanks to a grant of nearly £16,000 from Great Western Railway (GWR).

GWR awarded the grant through its Communities and Education Programme, which assists schools, colleges, community, and other not-for-profit organisations as part of its franchise agreement with the Department for Transport.

The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust wants to turn the building into a flagship social enterprise and community hub that is a multi-use facility that addresses social, economic, environmental, and cultural issues.

GWR’s funding will help to provide a better visitor experience through:

• interpretive panels and artefacts;
• a projection wall to display archived images 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. The trust will work with the local community, volunteers, and schools to encourage ongoing engagement and participation.

The goods shed was built by GWR in 1875, and is located in the Tyisha area of Llanelli, one of the top 10 percent most deprived wards in Wales.

Carmarthenshire County Council has plans to regenerate the area, and the refurbished goods shed will help their aims.

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 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.”