New data from retail intelligence firm MRI Software revealed the impressive growth, placing Carmarthen just behind Ballycastle High Street in County Antrim, which saw a 20% increase. The turnaround comes after a difficult period for the town centre, which has been hit hard by the loss of big-name retailers.
In recent years, Carmarthen has seen the closure of major stores including Wilko, Joules, and the flagship Debenhams department store. However, the new data suggests a significant bounce-back, fueled by a combination of new investment, council-led regeneration, and a focus on independent businesses.
This recovery is being driven by several key initiatives. The town’s former Debenhams store is being reborn as “Atriwm”, a major health and wellbeing hub, while plans are also underway for a revamp of the Cambrian Way shopping centre to include new apartments.
Carmarthenshire Council has also announced funding to bring empty commercial buildings back into use and setting out new plans for the future of the town centre. Support for smaller businesses has also been a focus, with initiatives like pop-up shops offering local businesses a retail spot amongst national chains.
The positive trend is further boosted by new openings, such as the new B&Q store set to open in late February.
The MRI Software report, which analysed data from thousands of retail destinations, states that Carmarthen’s 18.9% year-on-year growth was twice as big as all but two other high streets in the UK, demonstrating its exceptional performance.
Top 5 Fastest-Growing High Streets in the UK (2025)
| Rank | High Street | Location | YoY Footfall Growth |
| 1 | Ballycastle High Street | County Antrim | 20.1% |
| 2 | Carmarthen High Street | Carmarthenshire | 18.9% |
| 3 | Portrush High Street | County Antrim | 12.8% |
| 4 | Shrewsbury BID | Shropshire | 7.6% |
| 5 | Southside District | Birmingham | 7.2% |
The research also identified the top-performing retail parks and shopping centres. Newcastle Quays Retail Park in North Shields led the retail park category with 10% growth, while the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend was the fastest-growing shopping centre with a 12% increase in footfall.
What a load of bull! Carmarthen is now sad, with small retail businesses trying to keep it alive. A much needed reduction is business rates and encouragement of small new retail developments is required, plus car park free days on those days which do not generate much footfall (to encourage more footfall on those days) and the use of vacant shops, not creating monstrous put up shops as those by the back of Barclays Bank would be a better idea. The vacant area of the old Wilkinson’s store could have facilitated B&Q, at reduced rates (which encouraged Tesco into the town), would have been a better idea than it going over the River, across a dangerous stretch of road (especially during holiday season).
The town is falling apart. Money needs to be spent on it, instead of spending millions on a 247 gym. Council need to do better before it completely dies.