New creative and digital centre opened by First Minister

CANOLFAN S4C YR EGIN, the new creative and digital centre for the University of Wales Trintiy Saint David’s, was opened yesterday (Oct 25) by Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales.

The new centre is seen as a big boost for Carmarthen and an important step for the return of the Welsh medium in west Wales.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:  “We are pleased to be backing this project which will see an innovative hub for the Creative Industries being established in Carmarthen.

“Yr Egin very much supports both the Welsh Government and S4C’s vision to grow our creative industry whilst also developing the local economy.

“Our  investment in Yr Egin  is part of our commitment to deliver  better jobs closer to people’s homes and also to deliver quality Welsh speaking jobs in our heartlands which will help us meet our goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Professor Medwin Hughes, DL, Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted that Canolfan S4C Yr Egin has already established itself at the heart of the creative community in Carmarthenshire.  We have worked in partnership with S4C, Carmarthenshire County Council, Welsh Government and the Swansea Bay City Deal to deliver an iconic centre that will serve the needs of Wales.

“In developing Yr Egin, the University was mindful of the need to create an innovative centre that would strengthen digital infrastructure in rural Wales. Yr Egin provides an opportunity to maximise the economic, linguistic and social value of attracting S4C to relocate its headquarters to Carmarthenshire through establishing a creative and digital cluster to co-locate with the channel.

“The vision was to develop a centre that will reflect commercial best practice within the creative sector linked to the UWTSD’s bilingual provision and to create an accelerator that will incorporate the key components of a sustainable, highly productive and competitive hub that will contribute to the creative and digital economies of Wales and the UK.”

Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, said: “It’s been only eight weeks since the building was handed over to us and in that time, 55 members of S4C staff are now working from Yr Egin and 10 companies have taken up residency on the second floor.

“Since September, S4C have hosted a very successful Viewers’ Evening; hundreds of local school children have taken part in workshops and the Creative Carmarthenshire network, established as part of Yr Egin Engagement Project, supported by LEADER funding, has met to explore digital opportunities.

“We’re therefore delighted to see the realisation of our vision of developing a centre that will inspire the creative community as well as creating a hub where members of the community can experience and enjoy Welsh medium and bilingual activities.”