Wind street nightclub will 'enhance' Ammanford (From South Wales Guardian)

Wind street nightclub will 'enhance' Ammanford

5:00pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in News

PLANS for a nightclub above Shoppers’ World in Ammanford have been submitted to county council planners.

The snooker club which currently occupies the first floor would be relocated to the ground floor, reducing shopping space by 23 per cent.

Owner Alan James said in his application that the introduction of the smoking ban had reduced the demand for snooker, which meant smaller premises would be adequate.

He added that a nightclub would enhance leisure facilities in Ammanford, while the reduction in retail space reflected the current demand on High Streets generally. The only change to the appearance of the building would be additional fire escapes, which would be needed to cope with a greater number of customers attending the venue.

The nightclub would be served by the existing car park, which is used by shoppers during the day.

The project would provide 20 part-time jobs and two full-time positions.

Shoppers’ World was built in 1987 after the indoor market on the site was gutted by fire a year earlier, causing damage estimated at £250,000.

Meanwhile, pub chain JD Wetherspoon’s has confirmed discussions are continuing with a view to purchasing a number of adjacent buildings along Wind Street with a view to opening an outlet in Ammanford.

The firm has been searching for a suitable venue in the town since 2009 and has targeted the empty Cottage Inn as the preferred option. However, the firm’s plans to extend the proposed venue by purchasing neighbouring businesses have proved an ongoing snag, but the company remains confident a deal can be struck with the current landlords and tenants.

A company spokesman said: “Wetherspoon’s are still trying to progress with a deal on a site in the town. Negotiations are ongoing, as the company are keen to be in Ammanford.”