More than 800 people have signed a petition demanding an independent inquiry into Atriwm, the former Debenhams whose conversion has more than doubled in cost to £41m. It opened on 2 September and passed the 300 signatures needed for a scrutiny debate within weeks, and campaigners in Carmarthen now want councillors to act.
Scott Bayes, a community campaigner and former Reform UK member of Llangunnor Community Council, started it and says he will present it to the council’s Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee at County Hall at 10am on Thursday 12 November. By Thursday it had 835 signatures.
Carmarthenshire County Council, meanwhile, says the traffic management on St Catherine’s Street will stay in place until 21 December so the works can be completed “in readiness for opening early next year”.
Bayes said the number of signatures “shows how many people want clear answers about a major public project in Carmarthen”. He added: “I’ll be asking the committee to support a proper, independent inquiry that establishes what happened and reports its findings openly.”
From £19m to £41m: what the petition wants examined
The scheme was budgeted at £19m when it won UK Government Levelling Up money in 2021. In August the council put the forecast at £41m, with £4.2m of that going on structural problems found once contractors opened the building up.
The petition asks for full transparency over the original estimate, the approved budget and the final cost. It wants the inquiry to establish who authorised the business case and the later changes to the scope and budget, and what scrutiny supported those decisions.
It also asks how contracts were tendered and awarded, which contractors and consultants were appointed and how much they were paid. And it wants to know whether alternatives were explored as costs rose, and whether the project still represents value for money.
Bayes said: “Residents deserve to know how the project’s costs changed from £19 million to £42 million, what decisions were taken along the way, and whether public money was properly scrutinised.” The council’s own August figure is £41m.
He added: “This is about getting the facts on the record and making sure the lessons are learned.” He is encouraging residents to watch the meeting, which is due to be streamed online.
The council’s case: a bigger scheme, hidden structural problems and construction inflation
The council has said the rise reflects a bigger scheme than the one first planned, with an activity centre, extra healthcare and more floorspace added as the design developed, paid for by a further £12m from the UK and Welsh governments and project partners.
It also blames post-pandemic construction inflation. In January it said it needed an extra £2m for unexpected structural issues; by August that figure had more than doubled.
Cllr Hazel Evans, the cabinet member for regeneration, said in August the project was “making use of a large building in the middle of town that would otherwise be left vacant and a potential eyesore”. The council’s contribution, she said, “has no impact on Council Tax”.
Hywel Dda University Health Board will run dental, sexual health, mental health and other community services from the building, the council says. Alongside them go Actif’s first 24-hour gym, indoor adventure golf, soft play and electric go-karting, the council’s customer service hub and University of Wales Trinity Saint David teaching space.
The building has stood empty since Debenhams collapsed in 2021. The centre was due to open in early 2026 before the date slipped to early 2027.
Bayes also organised last month’s protest against the demolition of the former Wilko at Friars Park, where campaigners wanted the council to consider a trampoline park operator’s offer for the building.
The Atriwm petition is open on the council’s website until 2 November.
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