The announcement is part of ongoing development plans at the community centre
THE CAFÉ at Llanedeyrn Powerhouse Hub will focus on healthy eating when it reopens on February 24 under new management, Cariad Kitchen Ltd.
Sarah Johnston, who previously ran Cariad Café in Whitchurch, will now provide residents of Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn with homecooked meals in a non-profit café at the hub: “It’s an exciting development for me. I’ve worked with people and organisations before, but I wanted to give back and bring something new to the community.
“This is what the community needs to bring people together and help them look after themselves. As a single mum, I know how hard it can be to get kids to eat healthy foods, so all the meals will be freshly cooked with good ingredients. It’s food for the brain and the stomach.”
Ms Johnston is a qualified nutritionist and will work with a team of volunteers to run the café.
Rashmi Wilson, who manages several Cardiff hubs including the Llanedeyrn Powerhouse, said: “Cariad is a social enterprise project, and we’re very excited about opening up the new café. Sarah has lots of experience and ideas. The food will be focused on healthy living and she will be tailoring the menu to suit what people want.”
The opening of the Powerhouse was part of the wider development of the Maelfa estate in Llanedeyrn, but the café shut in June last year.
Marc Wakeham, 59, from Ael-y-Bryn, said: “The café was run by a hard-working team who knew their customers and catered accordingly. Then it was changed, and it lost the community feel. The menu lost its basic nature, and became more like a coffee shop, which wasn’t fitting to the community.”
The current café space is not in use 
The plans are on display 
The new regular opening hours will be 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and the café will eventually be joined by NHS services, which are being transferred into the building.
Emma Sandrey, councillor for Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn, said: “It’s especially good news to see it will be open for longer hours, and on a Saturday too.”
The Powerhouse Hub, Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, is currently used as a library, training and events space, and offers advice and wellbeing services to residents.
