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Glanmor’s – One Man’s Dream
Glanmor’s Bakery and Tearoom in Caerphilly town centre are well known, but the story behind them is less well known. Glanmor Evans was a senior lecturer at the Cardiff College of Food technology and always dreamed of opening a bakery baking traditional bread and confectionery with no additives or preservatives. In 1980, he opened a small bakery in Trethomas with his wife Lynne and following its success they opened a larger bakery in Caerphilly in 1983. After qualifying, their son Russell came into the business and in 1995 Glanmor’s Tearooms with its famous waitress service was opened in Castle Court Shopping Centre. When Glanmor sadly passed away in 2002, Lynne and Russell continued with the business. Lynne Evans said: Russell and I have stayed true to my husbands values and high standards. We still bake the majority of cakes we sell in Glanmor’s Tearooms and our fresh bread doesn’t contain any additives.
Ex Player Starts Sports Shop
When sports mad Matthew Pegler retired from playing rugby and football, he decided to do the next best thing and leave his job in Panasonic to set up a sportswear business. After its humble beginnings in a garage, TSS Sports located to Bartlett Street in Caerphilly town centre and has steadily grown. The retailer specialises in sports wear, especially Under Armour, but has recently diversified into supplying and embroidering school and team wear. Matthew said: I like to think that at TSS Sports we offer a personal touch working with our customers to make sure they get the right product. I know from experience that a big part of enjoying sport is having the right equipment which gives you confidence.
New Ladies Fashion Retailer Opens
A new independent ladies clothes boutique called Miss Label has opened on High Street in Blackwood town centre. The shop is the fourth to be launched in South Wales as part of a new independent chain developed by entrepreneurs Gary Bailey and Andrew Owen. Miss Label is managed by experienced retail manager Jayne Williams. Jayne said: We are really excited about showing the people of Blackwood our range of elegant ladies fashion at great prices and we aim to combine this with fantastic customer service.
Home Furnishings Retailer Committed to Bargoed
Home furnishing retailer Chisholm’s are still committed to Bargoed over 60 years after they first opened a shop in the town. In 1952, Ivy Chisholm started a small business selling babywear in Bargoed. Over the years the business developed into selling toys & bicycles before moving into furniture in the early 1970s. The location has changed too, the original shop was situated in Lower High Street (opposite the Cosy Corner Café) before relocating to Hanbury Road and then finally to its present shop in the former Lucania Snooker Hall in what is now known locally as ‘Chisholms Lane‘ next to Barclays Bank. Today, the store is owned by the next generation of the family. Anne Chisholm-Jones and Andrew Tugwell with Andrew’s dad Ray (Ivy’s brother) helping out too. Andrew said: We are still very much a family business delivering throughout the Rhymney Valley. I like to think we go the extra mile to look after our customers
Award Winning Florist Picks Caerphilly
An award winning florist with over 18 years experience has decided its time to run her own business in Caerphilly town centre. Nicola Downie runs The Caerphilly Florist, which is an independent florist specialising in weddings and funerals. The shop is located on Cardiff Road and overlooks Caerphilly Castle. Nicola said: At The Caerphilly Florist our aim is always to provide beautiful flowers for special people. It really helps that I know many of my customers and so far things are going really well
Local Charity Restores Hope
Pre-Loved Furniture is a registered charity which works to improve the lives of those in need. Their shop, which is located on High Street in Blackwood town centre, sells a range of furniture that has been repaired & restored. As well as selling furniture, the charities shop also offers afternoon tea at a reasonable cost and encourages people to purchase tea for someone who may be unable to treat themselves. As a charity, Pre-Loved Furniture are working to provide help for local people who need to develop a CV, or simply gain some confidence. Founder Susan Glendinning said: Our aim at Pre-Loved Furniture is to bring hope to those who may have lost it. I would really encourage people to call in support for us whenever they are in Blackwood. Pre-Loved Furniture are always looking for donations of furniture to find out more please contact the shop: Telephone 01495 230656.
Bargoed Welcomes Another New Business – N-Style’z
Bargoed town centre recently welcomed a new Turkish barber onto the high street. N-Style’z has opened next to Peacocks on High Street and offers customers the full Turkish barber experience. In addition to offering haircuts in all the modern styles, owner Nazim Yalcinkaya uses the traditional open razor and hot towel to make sure his customers get a really close shave. N-Style’z also offer beard styling and eyebrow trimming. Nazim said: After working at a barbers in Newport I really wanted to start my own shop. I looked at lots of towns in Gwent and decided on Bargoed. I liked the town and this shop on the high street was in a great location
The Business that Dresses for Success
Husband and wife team Jonathan and Rachel Hooper have built Dunbar Costumes in Caerphilly town centre into a thriving business, but it all started from an idea they had to sell fancy dress costumes online. Dunbar Costumes opened its first shop in Bartlett Street in 2007 and within a few years the specialist fancy dress and party supplier found it needed more floor space. In 2013, the business relocated to a larger premises in Pentrebane Street. Jonathan said: It is tough running your own business but we have worked hard and not been afraid to change and look at new opportunities. Our staff offer an amazing customer service and I think that’s a big part of our success.
Costa Coffee Chooses Blackwood High Street
Costa Coffee has opened a new shop in Blackwood town centre in what was formally the Coed Duon Public House located next to New Look on High Street. The national coffee chain, operated by a Welsh franchisee, has spent the last few months making extensive renovations to the building in order to create its signature fit out which can seat in excess of 50 customers. In opening its new Blackwood shop Costa Coffee has created 11 jobs for local people. Manager Siobhan Clifton said: We are delighted to open in Blackwood and have had a great welcome from customers. Our aim is to bring something different to the town and work alongside existing businesses.