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Retailers Window Display in Aid of Local Charity
This Christmas, a retailer in Blackwood town centre is lending their support to a local charity. Kismet, which is situated in Hall Street, has specially dressed its Christmas window in aid of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/. The charity supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). Sue Jenkins the owner of Kismet showed the window to Betty Thomas whose grandson Jack Thomas died suddenly when he was 15 years old. Jack‘s parents June & Grant have already raised money through ‘Jacks Appeal/Welsh Hearts‘ to provide defibrillators to all comprehensive schools in the County Borough and through a memorial fund set up through CRY they are funding twice yearly cardiac screening sessions at Oakdale Medical Centre. Each session screens 111 people between the ages of 14-35 and takes place on the Saturday closest to Jack‘s birthday on 6th June and on the anniversary of his death on 12th February. Sue said: We are delighted to help raise money for CRY in memory of Jack. I hope people will take time to stop and enjoy the window and make a donation to the charity in appreciation. Betty Thomas said: The work that CRY are doing is so important and it really does save lives. Please support the funding of the screening program in Oakdale that Jacks parents have set up. Kismet and Betty’s Boutique in Blackwood town centre are both donating proceeds from their carrier bag sales over Christmas towards CRY in memory of Jack…
Sports Direct’s Biggest Fan
David White is the manager of the Sports Direct store in Caerphilly town centre and it’s not surprising that he is a big supporter of the value sports retailer. What is surprising is where his journey working with the company has taken him. David, or Dai as he likes to be known, started out working in the retailers Cardiff city centre store for a few hours on a Wednesday afternoon. Over the next 12 years through hard work, commitment and dedication Dai worked his way up the retail ladder to become a store manager. Along the way he has visited almost every Sports Direct store in Wales as well as many in England, he has even gone to Austria and Germany to help train staff in the retailers European acquisitions. The Caerphilly store that Dai manages is located in Cardiff Road in the former Tesco building overlooking the castle; it occupies 7,700 sq. ft. of retail space and employs 18 staff. Dai said: Sports Direct is a great company to work for, they treat their staff really well and it’s like being part of a family. If you are prepared to work hard it doesn’t matter where you have come from or what qualifications you’ve got, you can have a great career with them.
Florist Grows from Small Beginnings
A florist in Bargoed town centre is a growing success. Laurel’s Florist, which is situated on High Street, is run by Laura Roberts who has over 22 years of experience as a florist and has taught floristry across the UK & Ireland. The business grew out of work that Laura took on whilst running a fruit & veg shop in Bargoed. The demand for Laura‘s work became so high that she decided to focus purely on floristry and open her own shop – Laurel’s Florist. The florist specialises in weddings and funerals, but also sells accessories including scented candles and gifts. Laura said: Running a business is hard work but I really enjoy it. Each morning I travel to Cardiff to the market in Bessemer Road to make sure that the flowers in my shop are fresh. Even though I aim to keep the prices at Laurel’s cheap, I won’t compromise on quality. Pictured right: Laura Roberts
What is the Oldest Shop in Caerphilly?
A shoe repairer in Caerphilly town centre may be the oldest independent business still trading in the town. PH Gay & Sons was first established in 1905 by Pearson Henry Gay in a small shop on Cardiff Road, it then moved into St Fagan’s Street before passing to Pearson’s son Hubert in 1926. The business has remained a family concern continuing to be handed down from father to son. In the 1960’s Hubert‘s son Desmond took over and in 1989 he handed it on to his son David. There was more change in 2005 when David moved PH Gay & Sons to the new Pavilions development, which was part of the old post office. When The Pavilions was demolished in 2013 to make way for the new library, the business again returned to Cardiff Road where it is today. PH Gay & Sons still carries out a range of traditional shoe repairs as well as selling a range of leather goods and offering a key cutting service.Interestingly, when the cobblers first started in 1905 the family also owned another shop on The Square in Senghenydd. This shop had electricity from the colliery’s pit winder, whilst the Caerphilly shop only had gas because the town had no colliery. David said: In my father’s day he was known as a time served crafts man and I hope that is what I would be considered today. The business has changed, although we don’t make shoes anymore there is huge satisfaction in using my skill to mend shoes that people think are beyond repair.
Small Business Saturday returns on December 3rd 2016
Small Business Saturday returns on Saturday December 3rd and the Council’s Town Centre Management team are asking people to show their support for independent retailers in the County Borough’s town centres. Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year with the aim of having a lasting impact on small businesses. Within the County Borough people can show their support in a number of different ways. The Council has once again produced a ‘Choose the High Street’ Christmas Voucher Booklet which this year contains 112 offers from local retailers. The offers give shoppers an added incentive to venture into their town centres in the lead up to Christmas and especially on Small Business Saturday. The booklets are free and available at the following locations: Blackwood – ASDA, Maxime Cinema, Tidal Stores, Chinkles, Blackwood Miners Institute and the library Caerphilly – Morrisons, Weatherspoon’s ‘The Malcom Uphill’, Visitor Centre and the library Bargoed – Morrisons, Poundworld and the library Risca – Tesco and the library Ystrad Mynach – Tesco and the library Throughout the year the ‘Choose the High Street’ Stories initiative has being telling the story of the people behind the shop fascia. You can read over 60 different stories featuring retailers in town centres across the County Borough by following the link to the GO 2 My Town web site. View ‘Choose The High Street’ Stories List In the…
Exclusive Family Business – Exclusive Tiles & Bathrooms
After 30 years working for himself, tiling walls and floors, John Phillips decided it was time to start a new family business with his son Luke called Exclusive Tiles & Bathrooms. The business, which was originally based in Aberbargoed, has just opened a new showroom in Blackwood town centre on High Street at the junction of Pentwyn Road. Exclusive Tiles & Bathrooms sells a range of bathroom suites as well tiles and is very much a family business. Whilst John as the Director retains a hands on role tiling walls and floors for customers across the County Borough, Luke works as the business manager in the showroom. Luke said: Blackwood is the busiest high street in the area so it made sense to open our new show here. Our aim is to offer our customers a first class service with the personal touch we offer as a family business
Caerphilly Welcomes New Bike Shop
A new cycle shop has opened in Caerphilly town centre. BikeShredz, which is located in Clive Street and run by keen cyclist Nick Ball who was always fascinated with cycling, not only riding bikes but also repairing them. (pictured Nick Ball) After leaving school he pursued a career as an engineer and toolmaker but when he was made redundant again in April, Nick took the opportunity to pursue his dream of turning his love of cycling into a business. BikeShredz not only sells bikes, but it also has a fully equipped workshop to conduct repairs and stocks a comprehensive range of parts and accessories. Nick said: When I got made redundant it felt like I had the chance to do something I really wanted to do. I have used my experience in cycling to start BikeShredz because I wanted to offer people a complete service from sales to repair. (pictured Andrew Cook)
Blackwood Is Back In Fashion
This Christmas Blackwood town centre is laying claim to being the fashion capital of the South East Valleys. In recent weeks, no less than three new independent clothing retailers have opened their doors in the town, which has one of the widest in high streets in the valleys. The new retailers Rebel, Profile and Betty’s Boutique sell a range of fashion clothing catering for both men and women and join other independent fashion retailers Miss Label, Parisa and ASA who are already in Blackwood. In addition to these independent fashion shops, the town also boosts an array of multiple clothing retailers: New Look, Select, Bonmarche, Peacocks and Dorothy Perkins. Any retailers looking for space in the town can view our Property Directory which lists every shop for sale or rent in each of the five managed town centres including Blackwood Properties. If you would like an informal discussion about retailer opportunities in Blackwood please contact Town Centre Management: 01443 866213 / 01443 866393 – retail@caerphilly.gov.uk
Christmas high street campaign is back!
Shoppers on Caerphilly county borough’s high streets are in for a real festive treat once again this year, as the council’s Town Centre Management Team joins forces with local retailers to unveil their ever-popular voucher booklet, featuring over 110 in-store discounts and offers. Back for 2016, the voucher booklet this Christmas promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a total of 112 offers from retailers in Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Risca and Ystrad Mynach. Download Voucher Booklet (Pupils from Risca Primary School) The council’s well-established ‘Choose the High Street‘ campaign focuses on raising awareness of consumer choice, and aims to encourage people to support their local high streets more often – particularly during in the pre-Christmas trading period which is crucial to businesses. It also highlights the diverse retail offer contained in our town centres. (Pupils from Ty Sign Primary School) Cllr Ken James was joined by pupils from Risca Primary School and Ty Sign Primary School visit with Santa himself to launch the scheme at Risca library recently. (Pupils from Risca Primary School) Cllr James said: The Choose the High Street campaign is all about encouraging people to support their local retailers, and this festive voucher booklet is a great incentive for shoppers to support local businesses and take advantage of some excellent money-saving deals in the run up to Christmas. The deals in the booklet are also a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase themselves and the diversity and range of products on offer on our high streets. The booklets can be picked up from: Bargoed – Morrisons, Poundworld, Library…