04/25/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

A BOWLING alley, food bank, community shop and furniture recycling project have been handed a lifeline by Carmarthenshire Council.

Executive board members agreed to provide Towy Community Church, which runs the Carmarthen projects, with a £50,000 grant and an extension of an existing loan by up to £50,000.

Income from the Xcel Bowl bowling centre, which supports the other charitable projects, has been hit hard by Covid restrictions.

Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said it would be “a disaster” if Xcel Bowl went under due to the support it provides to local families.

“This is a special case,” he said. “If they were not doing this work, it would be a big blow to us in Carmarthenshire.”

A report before the executive board said Carmarthen food bank helped nearly 3,200 people in 2019. Local people donated nearly 40 tonnes of food during the year. The furniture project collected and recycled more than 6,100 items.

In January and February this year Xcel Bowl made a £15,000 profit, but then the coronavirus pandemic struck. Plans to expand the centre were put on hold, and a number of staff were furloughed.

Xcel Bowl reopened with reduced capacity on August 3, but takings that month and in September were just over a third compared to normal.

Consideration was given to closing the centre – possibly for good – prompting trustees to approach the county council for support.

The funding will mean that it will continue to operate, albeit with reduced hours.

Xcel Bowl operates at the former Johnstown creamery – and was backed originally by a £270,000 Carmarthenshire Council loan, of which £163,145 is still outstanding.

Executive board members suggested that council officers drew up criteria in case other community projects run out of options.

Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “We don’t have an endless pot of money, but we need to be well prepared in our ability and agility to respond.”

Speaking after the November 16 meeting, Carmarthen Town South councillor and mayor of Carmarthen, Gareth John, said: “It’s very fortunate that such charitable projects exist and the public willingness to donate food, clothing and other items testifies to Carmarthen’s community spirit.”

Fellow ward councillor Alun Lenny said: “Making £50,000 available to support Xcel Bowl’s recovery from the impact of the pandemic will allow them to continue to trade and ensure the continuity of the food bank and other services, as well as providing job security for staff.

“The alternative would be unthinkable.”

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