{"id":58059,"date":"2021-03-24T14:26:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T14:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=58059"},"modified":"2021-03-24T14:26:24","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T14:26:24","slug":"the-welsh-food-innovators-how-local-independent-businesses-are-thriving-through-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2021\/03\/24\/the-welsh-food-innovators-how-local-independent-businesses-are-thriving-through-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"The Welsh Food Innovators: How local independent businesses are thriving through lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Welsh independents have used their creativity and relationships with local and seasonal producers to survive a year in lockdown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Buy local or Bye bye local\" class=\"wp-image-58065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Buy local or Bye bye local\" class=\"wp-image-58065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/buylocal-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>These three businesses are beacons of hope for the local and independent sector of the food industry. Credit: Shutterstock <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Conversations surrounding the effect of the last year on the food and retail industry often results in grimaces of acknowledgement that it has been a rough ride. Whether it\u2019s financial difficulty or that the nature of business facilities do not lend themselves to the current tumultuous climate, independent food services have been dropping off our highstreets week on week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsb.org.uk\/join-us.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwxuuCBhATEiwAIIIz0Y80dJ7F3XVs3sk_BoJ3T-nvHRt1CG6sYRjJ4NlUzQDQAYpswHhXIxoCRu0QAvD_BwE\">The Federation of Small Businesses Wales<\/a> (FSB) released a Small Business Index from October to December highlighting that it has hit its second-lowest point in a 10-year history. It is no surprise that accommodation and food services came out the worst, with a -108.1 index score from October to December and 10.7% of businesses considering closure as we entered the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a grim time for many, but certainly not for all. Consumers are becoming more aware of the local businesses in their communities, and these businesses are listening avidly to their needs. This active observation has allowed such independents to reinvent themselves in accordance, becoming chameleons of their trade, eating innovation for breakfast. Not only is this flexibility keeping these businesses afloat, but it is propelling them into the forefront of their communities by strengthening them with their service. This has created a full circle support system, from local producer to retailer to consumer, making local services the destination, no longer relying solely on passing trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are three Welsh businesses that have found success in their creativity and drive to support their customers and local producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Local Hero <\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheryl Parry set up the <a href=\"https:\/\/thegratecheesedeli.co.uk\/\">Grate Cheese Deli<\/a>, Colwyn Bay, North Wales in June 2019 with the goal to support local produce and promote fair pricing to attract a variety of customers. The deli had not been open a year before the country went into the first lockdown, and although Cheryl says that she knew the business had potential, Covid-19 could have easily broken them. \u201cThe business was set up with my husband\u2019s pension and we had no other finance in place, so if we were going to make it work, we had to move with it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheryl\u2019s flexible approach gave her the idea to stock essential items and deliver them to her customers and those in the community that needed aid. \u201cA lot of my customers were older and weren\u2019t clued up with internet shopping, and they were panicking,\u201d she says. The Deli informed local councils to spread the word, and soon they were delivering up to 20 orders a day within a 20-mile radius. \u201cIf they needed it, we tried to get it,\u201d Cheryl says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the young age of the business, it is unclear whether it lost income over lockdown as footfall had not been established. \u201cI have been happy with how the business has grown,\u201d Cheryl says, her determination to support the community has given the business a diverse and loyal customer base. Cheryl says that her customers are allowing the business to thrive with the absence of tourism that it previously would have relied on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If they needed it, we tried to get it.&#8221; <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheryl began creating grazing boxes of local produce for customers to order online or face to face; the bespoke Valentines Day boxes having booming success. Cheryl tries to support as many local producers as she can, showcasing produce such as Austin Garden Kitchen\u2019s chutneys; a not-for-profit organisation that grows their own produce and teaches adults with learning disabilities to harvest and create them. Cheryl is looking forward to growing the deli further over the next 12 months. \u201cI intend to get a personal alcohol license and premise license so I can stock local wines, gins and vodkas.\u201d Cheryl says. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"The grate cheese deli \" class=\"wp-image-58068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"The grate cheese deli \" class=\"wp-image-58068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/GCD-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The Grate Cheese Deli prides itself on its variety of fair priced local welsh cheeses. Credit: The Grate Cheese Deli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The heart of the community<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Melissa Boothman is the owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/penylanpantry.com\/\">Pen-Y-Lan Pantry<\/a>, Cardiff, and set up her business in 2013 with the ambition to support and showcase local Welsh produce seven days a week. As a former hairdresser, Melissa worked weekends and so could never go to her local farmers markets which at the time were one of very few places that sold local produce. Melissa says, \u201cOur values are to support local communities and make them stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pantry was built on a flexible business plan, as Melissa understands that consumer needs are constantly changing, \u201cI wanted to run this business sustainably,\u201d she says. Although registered as a limited company, Melissa put all the profits back into the business for the first five years to create a strong foundation to survive. \u201cIt\u2019s like having a child, you put everything you can into it early so it becomes strong and self-supporting.\u201d Melissa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A reinvention of the pantry took place after they closed for the first lockdown, transitioning from sit in caf\u00e9 to a corner shop dedicated to showcasing local produce. \u201cWe listened to what our community needed, and they\u2019ve really shown the love back,\u201d Melissa says. This initiative has allowed the pantry to stay open through each lockdown, teaming up with more local producers alongside creating and selling their organic vegetable boxes. Selling the vegetable boxes in spring 2020 was a slow starter as people were nervous about the safety of collecting in store. As customers started to become more comfortable with entering shops the numbers increased and the pantry now hits their maximum of 35 orders each week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>It\u2019s like having a child; you put everything you can into it early so it becomes strong and self-supporting.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Melissa gets the majority of her vegetable produce from family run welsh wholesalers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.watsonandpratts.co.uk\/\" class=\"broken_link\">Watson &amp; Pratt<\/a>&#8216;s, who share the same ethos as the pantry of ecological sustainability. Although Pen-Y-Lan Pantry are down by a third in growth take, the lower utility and input costs of running a shop compared to a caf\u00e9 are much less, which has balanced out their profits. \u201cWe hope to take this business model into the future, even out of lockdown,\u201d Melissa says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"penylan pantry vegetable selection\" class=\"wp-image-58070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"penylan pantry vegetable selection\" class=\"wp-image-58070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/PANTRY-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Seasonal and organic produce sits at the centre of Pen-Y-Lan Pantry&#8217;s ethos. Credit: Pen-Y-Lan Pantry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The green champion<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Food Made Good Awards Chef of The Year 2019 Deri Reed set up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warrenmanselst.co.uk\/\">The Warren<\/a> Carmarthen, in 2016. \u00a0Deri\u2019s goal was to showcase local produce, with a specific drive towards sustainability. As energy suppliers invested into renewable energy due to climate change being at the forefront of our daily news, prices became more affordable, which has allowed the Warren to run on 100% renewable energy for the last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The business compost food waste at home and with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cwmenvironmental.co.uk\/household\/merlins-magic-compost\/\">Merlin\u2019s Magic Compost<\/a>, a local company that sell their compost to enterprises, charities and the public. \u201cThe Warren focuses on local, seasonal and ethical produce,\u201d said Deri, who is keen to supply the best quality produce whatever the cost. Deri gets his vegetables from <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainablefoodtrust.org\/key-issues\/farm-stories\/blaencamel\/\">Blaencamel Farm<\/a>, a 25-acre organic farm that is carbon negative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deri decided to close The Warren&#8217;s doors a week before lockdown was announced. \u201cBecause people were told to stay home, only a third of our customers were turning up and it wasn\u2019t affordable to keep it open,\u201d he says. Deri doesn\u2019t regret this decision, as it allowed him and his team of 11 (six are now furloughed) to create a business plan that would give them a good foundation to survive over the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If we do the same thing week on week, customers will go elsewhere for something different.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Warren has a strong community of customers who have stuck with them throughout the pandemic. \u201cWe have to be doing something different frequently because our customer base is so small,\u201d Deri says, \u201cIf we do the same thing week on week, customers will go elsewhere for something different.\u201d Deri\u2019s abundance of creativity and ideas have led The Warren from takeaways and cook at home meals since spring 2020, to the recent addition of make your own pizza boxes. Deri says, \u201cit has allowed us to support our local producers and giving our community something affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Warren sent out 70 (more than they would take in one evening sitting) four course <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2021\/03\/24\/restaurant-diy\/\">heat at home meals<\/a> for Valentine\u2019s Day and have now moved onto a Burger Night pop-up that allows customers to order and pay online. \u201cWe\u2019re still fighting, and have fantastic support from our customers,\u201d Deri said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"The Warren, Carmarthen\" class=\"wp-image-58072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"The Warren, Carmarthen\" class=\"wp-image-58072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/03\/The-Warren-2-1400x700.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Although The Warren closed its doors early, Deri and the team have been working hard to create a sustainable business plan. Credit: The Warren<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-purple-color\">What can <\/span><\/strong><em><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-purple-color\">you<\/span><\/em><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-purple-color\"> do to support local food businesses?<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Cheryl from The Grate Cheese Deli says, \u201cfinancial support is so necessary at the moment, support us through delivery, make use of the small shops and notice us.\u201d<\/li><li>Buy gift vouchers for friends and family for local businesses in their area.<\/li><li>\u201cIf everyone just bought one coffee a week from us, it would have such a huge impact,\u201d Says Melissa from Pen-Y-Lan Pantry.<\/li><li>Melissa is a huge believer in the power of word of mouth, \u201cwe trust our friends and we trust our family, if they tell you our place is great and they love their values, it\u2019s inevitable people will go and seek us out,\u201d She says.<\/li><li>Write good reviews on places like Trip Adviser and Google Reviews.<\/li><li>\u201cSocial media has been the saviour of our business,\u201d said Deri from The Warren, who urges customers to engage with The Warren and share their posts.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three Welsh independents have used their creativity and relationships with local and seasonal producers to survive a year in lockdown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":535,"featured_media":58065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200],"tags":[150,20,22,3260,72],"coauthors":[7102],"class_list":["post-58059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-business","tag-community","tag-food-2","tag-independent-business","tag-local"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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