Community

Rents soar in Carmarthen as town faces record demand

Published

9 months ago

September 20, 2025

RENTS in Carmarthen have surged nearly 59 per cent since 2019, with the average room in SA31 now advertised at £588 a month, up from £370 before the pandemic. Only seaside town Rhyl has seen a steeper increase in Wales, according to new figures from flatshare site SpareRoom. Across Wales, the average monthly rent is £592, up 46 per cent on 2019.

Suburban squeeze

SpareRoom says renters priced out of big cities are flooding commuter and market towns, a pattern now biting in West Wales. Spokesperson Matt Hutchinson said: “The flatshare market in the suburbs is groaning under the weight of demand from renters priced out of city living. When renters reach their ceiling of affordability, there isn’t really a choice, they have to move somewhere cheaper. Carmarthen, with its transport links and amenities, is a clear example of that shift.”

Local picture

Official statistics show the average private rent in Carmarthenshire reached £644 per month in August 2025, up five per cent year-on-year and 31 per cent over the last five years. Carmarthenshire County Council has approved a 2025–28 housing investment plan funded partly by rents, based on a 2.7 per cent rise for council stock in 2025–26, one of the lowest increases in two decades, while acknowledging affordability pressures.

Students and supply

Carmarthen’s student population adds pressure. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has prioritised on-campus rooms for first-years and froze some university-owned rents in 2023–24, but shortages mean many students are competing directly in the town’s rental market. National research has found only one in six campus rooms are affordable at typical budgets.

Benefit gap

For lower-income renters, Local Housing Allowance rates often trail market rents. In Carmarthenshire, the current allowance caps, such as £400 for a one-bedroom and £535 for a three-bedroom, leave a significant shortfall against average asking prices.

Why it is happening

The pandemic triggered a shift in demand as remote working encouraged many to move to towns like Carmarthen. Supply has failed to keep pace, with mortgage and compliance costs leading some landlords to sell, reducing the pool of available homes. Demand has also been rising more generally across Wales, pushing up prices even in areas once considered affordable.

What next

The Welsh Government’s rent policy leaves social landlords to set increases within an affordability framework, while housing charities argue rents should be tied more closely to local incomes and benefits. With demand showing no sign of slowing, tenants in Carmarthen may face further rises in the months ahead.

Community

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

Published

21 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

Published

36 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.