Llanelli

Our clients Shire Coffee successfully applied for and received a UK Shared Prosperity (SPF) Vacant Property Fund, to bring their vision to life—revitalising a beloved, decades old café and bookshop that had fallen into disrepair. Their goal was to transform it into a vibrant, central hub in the heart of Llanelli, offering a warm welcome and a quiet retreat, all while serving specialty coffee.

This project resonated with us, aligning with Flourish’s ethos of recognizing the potential in the existing and transforming it into something new. The power of envisioning projects in this way is so important as we look at the existing building stock in the UK and decide how we are going to better it in order to ensure a more sustainable future for us all.

The initial design, created by Madison Osborne, was inspired by the clients' vision for a modern, cozy, and thoughtfully curated transformation—one that would elevate the space to reflect the quality of its offerings. While on site, we used this design as our foundation, but it took close collaboration and our design expertise to truly bring it to life. The design preserved and celebrated key features, including the expansive glazed façade that opens the café to Spring Gardens, with views of Llanelli Town Hall.

The wedge-shaped layout was cleverly utilised to provide ample space for browsing books, placing orders, and sitting in various settings—whether in a booth designed for solitude or work, or around a long, accommodating bench for socialising. Every element of the space was custom-curated to align with the brief’s style and design.
 

Shire Coffee is now a thriving hub for the community, a space to enjoy both coffee and quiet moments. Visit their website for more details: https://shire.coffee Instagram (@hwyl.shire)

​

Photo credit: Celyn Mor Photography @celynmorphotography