Leader in row over 'limp jibe' - 18 August 2008

Carmarthenshire's Council leader Meryl Gravell has reacted furiously to claims that she dubbed Llanelli town centre as "limp".

The Trimsaran County Councillor has hit out after Ammanford-based newspaper, the South Wales Guardian, published an article claiming councillor Gravell had said Ammanford town centre is more vibrant than Llanelli.

The article published last week, bearing the headline "Ammanford's 'buzz' beats limp Llanelli," said councillor Gravell had made the "startling claim" during a recent visit to their office.

It quoted the leader as saying: "Ammanford town centre is more vibrant than Llanelli.

"There's definitely more of a buzz about the place."

But Councillor Gravell, who has recently set up a Llanelli Town Centre Action Committee to promote and help regenerate the town centre and bring more shoppers and visitors into the area, as well as attract new businesses into the town centre, denied the claims and alleges her words had been twisted.

She said: "I had an informal meeting with the editor and part of our conversation was regarding Ammanford town centre.

"I said it had a nice buzz about it and that it was a lovely shopping centre.

"I also said how hard we are working and how much we are doing to bring more of a buzz back to Llanelli.

"Unfortunately, the media can sometimes use remarks out of context, but actions speak louder than words, and I would hope that people in Llanelli would judge me on the work I am carrying out there rather than this article."

Councillor Gravell has been instrumental in securing £4million for the Eastern Gateway development of Llanelli.

She has also established an action group of senior council officers, which has already delivered a series of initiatives over the past few months.

These include opening the multi-storey car park on Sundays, helping bring car boot sales to the car park, producing newsletters for traders, the refurbishment of Coleshill car park, and opening it free to the public at weekends, organisation of events, working with traders to apply for rates reductions, a radio advertising campaign and promotion of the town with the support of the local media.

Councillor Gravell regularly meets with traders and shops in Llanelli town centre herself.

She added: "Llanelli town centre has a lot to offer and I am confident a bright future is just around the corner, we all acknowledge it has suffered in recent times but it is certainly not limp!"

Nobody from the South Wales Guardian was available for comment at the time of going to press.

Credit - www.llanellistar.co.uk