Plans for an iconic Ammanford shop to be transformed into a gin bar and bistro have been submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council.

The application submitted on October 2 proposes for the change of use to number 12 Wind Street from a retail unit into gin house and bistro bar including new offices with plans to refurbish the retail shop unit with a workshop area to the rear end of number 14.

Applicant Mr Richard Stuart, who purchased the Red Kite Inn in Pontaman in 2013, along with his wife Emma, has experience in turning empty premises into thriving businesses and plans to work his magic at the former Williams Bazaar premises.

The plans state that gin type bar and restaurant will serve locally sourced produce and create much needed jobs in the area both directly from the employment of staff and indirectly from using local suppliers.

The design of the proposed building will be converted to allow full disabled access and the bar will be situated in the front part of the property with an enclosed courtyard at the rear.

Number 14 has plans to be renovated and turned back into a high end retail shop premises with upstairs being converted into three offices which would have its own separate entrance, waiting area and toilets.

The project sees nine full time and eight-part time positions available across both premises.

If the proposal is accepted by the planning department, the business states that it will support the local school work experience and college apprentice scheme, which the applicant has been involved with in the past.

Mr Stuart states in his client statement: “Williams Bazaar was an iconic shop in Ammanford and well loved by the local community.

“Unfortunately over the past years it fell into a poor state of repair and no longer remained profitable for the previous owners and closed in 2016.

“Me and my wife Emma purchased 12-14 Wind Street with intention to return the building to its former glory retaining the external character of the building and create something that would benefit the community.”

The proposed restaurant will be open from 9am until midnight from Monday to Thursday, 9am until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 12pm until 11pm on Sundays.

The planning department will decide the fate of the application in a forthcoming meeting.