Cymraeg / Welsh

Cymraeg / Welsh

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IMPROVED CUSTOMER FACILITIES FOR NEW CAFÉ BUSINESS

JANUARY 14th 2018

THE CF42

£10,250 – Vision Fund – Sept 2017

LOCATION OF ACTIVITY: TREHERBERT

This was a straightforward proposal which would make a significant difference to a new business that had invested a significant amount themselves in starting this new enterprise in Treherbert. Already well-used by the community with excellent Facebook reviews and comments, it had become a community gathering point for local people to meet, socialise, shop and relax – they were welcoming more than 200 customers each week. Everyone is welcome at The CF42 and they adopt a dementia friendly approach as well as an opportunity for young and old to meet and interact.
 
They had no customer WC on the premises, and urgently needed a disabled toilet so all customers could enjoy the venue for longer periods.

 “We rarely sold more than 1 cup of coffee to anyone before we had toilet facility and now we have people staying for much longer, enjoying the venue and buying more. The difference having a toilet facility has made has been incredible. The application process was very simple and we felt supported by the team at Pen y Cymoedd and really appreciated the personal contact we had with them. We now have an excellent relationship with the contractor and he and his family attend the venue and have become friends. They were professional and everybody comments on how good the facility looks.” Matthew Mortimore – The CF42

Customer Quotes: “Really quirky, love the deco and ambience of the place. Coffee was great and very friendly owners. The locals of Treherbert are lucky to have The CF42 in your village, wish there was something like this near where i live. Not to worry its well worth the drive, see you soon  ” / “Since opening TheCF42 has been a big part of 2017 for my family their award winning hot chocolate is so delicious and we’ve enjoyed many coffees and charts and schmoo milkshakes and obviously my biggest part was getting engaged here this summer and I’ve always enjoyed a the lovely candles and bath bombs on offer this place really has something for everyone and both Glenn and Matthew have always given amazing service and I can’t want to visit this fab coffeehouse more in 2018”
 
Post Award Update: Since installing the toilet using the Pen y Cymoedd grant, The CF42 were able to make further upgrades to lighting and heating using money they had saved. The disruption caused with being closed for the new addition has been mitigated with the increase in sales since the re-opening as customers can now stay for 3 cups of coffee instead of just one. They have held community events there in partnership with Welcome to Our Woods and have had temporary alcohol licences to hold late opening wine bar evenings – this is something they could not possibly have down without the addition of the customer toilet.
 
The work came in on budget and they have established a great relationship with New Heat a local contractor who carried out the work. They have big plans for 2018 and were so grateful for the support Pen y Cymoedd were able to offer that has allowed them to increase sales, expand services and offer a better customer experience. They now have over 700 followers on Facebook and upcoming events include regular After Dark at The CF42 events and a Karoake Saturday.

The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.

The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.

The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.

Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.

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