Alan McGee, the man who discovered and managed Britpop legends Oasis, was in Bedwas recently – helping to open a new internet café.
More than 150 people packed out Bedwas Computers, on Newport Road, for the opening party. His appearance at the new café was as a result of owner Kevin McCarthy’s love of Oasis.
Mr McCarthy said: “I collect music memorabilia and I found out that Alan was auctioning his collection.
“I bought quite a lot of stuff for the shop and he invited me over to his house. He recently moved to Wales.
“He suggested I have an opening party where he would play. He didn’t charge me anything, it was more of he wanted to see the collection of music memorabilia on display in the café. It was very kind of him.”
He added: “It was brilliant. Alan’s feedback was that he really enjoyed it and had a great night with the people of Bedwas.”
Held on the recent bank holiday weekend, the opening party also took in the Bridgend Inn with a host of local bands playing. The former manger of Oasis then took to the decks to DJ.
Mr McCarthy – a huge fan of Oasis – has owned Bedwas Computers as a repair centre for the last ten years. It was the lack of an internet café in the area which prompted him to use the spare space in his premises.
He said: “We are aiming to offer this to people really cheap. We won’t charge for use of the internet, the idea is that people can have a cup of coffee for 60p and use the computers or their own laptop.
“It’s not going to be like Costa where it’s £2.20 for a coffee.”
For more information about Bedwas Computers, visit www.facebook.com/bedwascomputers or call 029 20851613 or 07525660546