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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.
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)
Caerphilly Florist Wins Top Award
A florist in Caerphilly town centre has been crowned one of the best in the UK. Nicola Downie who owns The Caerphilly Florist in Cardiff Road has been accepted into the exclusive Good Florist Guide, the gold standard of floristry and the only merit-based guide to the finest florists in the UK. To be part of the Guide, each florist undergoes a rigorous evaluation process with submissions being vetted by a panel of industry experts to ensure they meet the strict criteria. The focus is not only on the florist designs, but also the service and value they offer customers. Nicola said: We are delighted to be accepted into the Good Florist Guide. At The Caerphilly Florist we are passionate about flowers, design, quality and customer service so it is wonderful to be recognised. Caroline Marshall-Foster who is the editor of The Florist magazine and Executive Director of Good Florist Guide said: You can buy flowers virtually anywhere these days. But nothing really beats the experience of receiving fabulous flowers from a truly bespoke florist. The Good Florist Guide allows consumers to know that the florist they use is able and willing to go the extra mile and make all their purchases, big or small, truly special. The Caerphilly Florist has an offer in the ‘Choose the High Street’ Christmas Voucher Booklet which is available from 1st November in the foyers of Morrisons, ASDA and Tesco stores across the Caerphilly County Borough.
New Ladies Boutique Opens
A new ladies boutique has opened on Blackwood High Street directly opposite the Maxime Cinema. So whilst the boys can enjoy watching a film in the cinema, the girls can shop in Betty’s Boutique which is the latest addition to Blackwood’s growing list of fashion retailers. The boutique is run by mother and daughter Nicola & Molly Page and is named after Nicola‘s mother. Nicola has been in business for over 30 years, previously running Creative Homes and Bojangles Boutique. Molly is in her second year in University in Cardiff studying for a fashion degree. Nicola said: At Betty’s Boutique we offer the latest ladies fashions as well as classic styles to suit all ages from 17 to 87! With our wide range of clothes, bags, shoes, jewellery and gifts we’ve got something for everyone. Molly said: My degree work keeps me up to date with the latest trends in the fashion industry and it’s great to use that knowledge to help choose the designs that we stock.
Caerphilly is a Cut Above
Another new business has opened in Caerphilly town centre. Aspros Barbers is located on Cardiff Road and is run by Theo Aspros who has been a barber for the past last 16 years working in Cardiff. After years spent renting a chair in someone else’s salon, Theo decided it was time to start his own business. A chance drive through Caerphilly town centre convinced him that he had found the perfect place to begin a new chapter of his career. As well as cutting gents hair the barbers has installed a special chair with a television to enable children to watch their favourite program whilst they have their hair cut. The fit out of the barbers includes sofas and a coffee machine to keep customers happy whilst they wait. Theo comes from a long line of hairdressers and is particularly proud to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and proudly displays his grandfather’s original hair clippers on the wall. Theo said: When I drove through Caerphilly with my wife Georgina and son Nicholas she thought what a lovely little town it was and the perfect place for us to open our first shop. I look forward to welcoming people to Aspros Barbers and getting to know them. Image: One of his grandfather’s original hair clippers