- (TLDR; Business is hard, Town is dying, My Inspiration, Issues, Community Investmemt, Local Support is Vital)
Hi all, as many are aware and concerned with Ammanfords downfall I have an idea that would be helping myself but hopefully that could continue on to revive Ammanford allowing smaller and startup businesses to try retail spaces and allow ammanford to become a unique shopping destination - like it has been at times with market stalls, history through long standing shops such as Bazaar and more that makes this a great town.
A little intro: I've always been passionate around 3D Design & Printing. I started in 2018 with £80 and an idea. I released the brand (name retracted) in 2020 and it was a better than expected year getting 600 sales.
It's kept me on my toes since and bar some issues like Hermes stealing a machine and management covering it up, to horrendous support from Royal Mail on £800 of orders at Christmas time (when there was huge delays in 2022-2023) - Which cost me well over a £1000 due to refunds given out of my pocket. And general business 'mistakes' (R&D, Packaging,etc). So other than these issues it has been amazing and I've amassed over £30k revenue (I dropped off recently after personal matters outside of business - but im back and roaring ready).
For something which started as a side project and that I've not used the full potential of is something I'd really like to continue.
This being said, as mentioned there have been some damaging knock backs the past couple of years which hasn't helped with cashflow as everything possible and when possible is reinvested in improving services all around and in stock & supplies.
I have more recently also started another brand within the design & production space which I think would be more suitable for a space. But not just so; I'd also like to be able to bring my design experience to help those who need it: Be it - a list clip for a old car part or a grip for a walking stick that is made to fit the customer.
Also it would be great if I could set something up to do small Computer Aided Design workshops.
It's what got me started; At the age of 10/11 F1 Schools came into my primary to which I won the design and took it to a competition against other schools in which we won tickets to a museum in Cardiff.
I picked up CAD straight away at GCSE and would often finish ahead of schedule and start designing my own ideas (Age 13/14-15/16) Mrs Atkinson was my teacher at the time and I continued this to go to A-Levels for there to unfortunately not be the lesson available due to there being not enough interest. I believe only by a couple or handful or people...
I did have interest in architecture so continued A-levels choosing Biology instead. Some time into 6th form I had reactions to the metals and oils in my engineering classes so was required to stop and therefore had to drop out of school due to not reaching the subjects needed.
I then tried college for music with limited interest and found there were CAD classes available once a week in the evenings there. I tried it out but it wasn't something I could stick to due to lack of transport as it was out of normal college hours.
I tried out some jobs and things in the time before getting to 2018 where I started trying ideas out for things.
So to my idea: I have seen commercial space available in Ammanford in a good area for my retail and service space. And that is reasonably fair for the potential I feel I could bring longer term. I would be a unique shop that offers a range of different services and also have ideas to help those get into STEM and related topics.
However, there would also be a cost to furnish this and as I've largely worked from home I only have so much I can take ahead - storage, workareas, machines etc.
Would it be possible Ammanford as a community could crowdfund either the cost to furnish or possibly a few months rent for security in getting myself set in? I'd be able to Reliably run the business off the back of my own by then (hopefully - I only say so due to some businesses coming and going though unrelated to mine)
I have countless ideas I believe that could help Ammanford thrive, and the council aren't going to change things anytime soon for the better - atleast to the degree we need (I stress WE as I have seen not just this year but many where the sentiment within the town is dropping.
The community is what, has, and, will keep Ammanford up.
For example if it's well perceived and people believe i should crowfund towards a set goal of 6months rent, and all goes well, I believe it could become Circular.
As we modernise out funds are spent and sent further away from the town with the ease of shopping from our phone, ordering food to your door etc...
It's everyone's responsibility to start spending a few quid more on local business to help things not die out. Carmarthenshire has only 1 grant available to businesses to my understanding and that's for renewable energy! There are some others available but with very restricted requirements such as having employees, or renting a large commercial space etc... Which are far from ideal for small businesses who are most often the ones occupying these spaces (unless bought up by conglomerate & chain brands)
I know there's a lot to take in here and I could talk hours more.
But please let me know your thoughts, even if you think it's a bad idea or how it could be changed to work.
(TLDR; Business is hard, Town is dying, My Inspiration, Issues, Community Investmemt, Local Support is Vital)