A THREE-MONTH restoration project that will see improvements made to one of Carmarthen’s iconic structures gets under way next week.

The Grade II listed Lyric Buildings, which houses offices on the upper floors and shops on the ground floor, will see work carried out to its external facias, shop fronts and roofs.

Shops and firms include hairdresser Morgan Edward, British Red Cross shop and the two empty shops that were Owen Snow Sports and MJ Menswear.

Also housed within the buildings heading around into Queen Street.

The Lyric Buildings boast a “striking 1930s modernist style” according to the book Lodwick’s History of Carmarthen.

London-based property and investment specialists MM Asset Management is overseeing the improvement project on behalf of the buildings’ landlord — a Luxembourg based firm. Fund manager at MM Ruth Thompson said: “The Lyric Buildings have been unloved for some time so we are starting on the second week of July with the work to the exterior and the roof.

“Work to improve the appearance within the Grade II listed guidelines will be carried out and completed by October, it is hoped.”

She added that there was already interest in the vacant Owen Sports shop, which is expected to be filled soon.

Looking further ahead, a second phase of internal work to offices and premises is expected to be carried out next year as part of the improvement plan by the landlord and MM, with local firm John Francis overseeing the letting of units.

The announcement of the work on the Lyric Buildings follows on the heels in recent years to see King Street improved upon.

The art quarter at the top end of the street — with galleries and the relaunched Parrot bar — are all part of the town’s drive to increase footfall and trade to the street.

Carmarthen’s Chamber of Commerce has been a strong supporter of King Street both in terms of improvements and also attracting new businesses to move into to it.

With the closure of the Post Office last year efforts were doubled to help keep the street vibrant and a draw to shoppers and visitors.

Artists and those in the galleries are also continuing to draw visitors.

There are still hopes of possibly creating a cafe culture with the street with outdoor seating if the street is closed or partially closed to traffic. This would form part of a wider town regeneration scheme.