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The first Clare Thomas knew that her business Dirty Cowgirl was being evicted by her landlord was when she asked about expanding into a neighbouring premises.

Since opening in March this year her country music themed boutique shop and bar/café has become a popular venue in Bargoed.

Providing live music and karaoke on weekends, Dirty Cowgirl is regularly fully-booked.

Online sales of Clare’s country and western clothing, which she makes and sells in the shop, have also been going well – so much-so that Clare enquired with her landlord about taking over premises which form part of the same building.

It was only then she found out the property was being sold from underneath her to be turned into offices. Valuers would be visiting and she would have to leave.

Despite taking over the property in November last year, and investing in excess of £15,000, Clare had no lease. She had requested one several times and been told by the landlord the delay was down to solicitors.

Clare said: “I’ve no legs to stand on.”

In a desperate race against time, Clare has faced a huge challenge finding new premises.

She has been offered to rent several properties, often in a poor state of structural repair with some having no running water and inadequate electrical wiring.

Each time she has been told council grants were available to bring them up to standard, with the expectation that she apply for them – despite then also being told the intention was to sell them once they’d been improved.

Clare explained: “It shouldn’t be allowed. I don’t think grants should be used for tenants to improve premises and then landlords can go on to sell it.”

Many grants of this nature are match-funded meaning the tennant would have to invest their own money.

Even if Clare had a lease on her premises, commercial agreements can often include a break clause meaning landlords – and tenants – can end the term early, provided enough notice is given.

Dirty Cowgirl has now found new premises in St Margarets Park, Aberbargoed, and Clare is looking to reopen the shop as soon as she can and then the bar later on. She will be closing the Bargoed premises at the end of this month.

However, the move has still proven costly for her with additional investment for theming the new premises and other business costs, such as a new alcohol licence application being needed.

Frustrated with her experience, she contacted Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David, who raised her concerns in Cardiff Bay with the First Minister.

Dr David said: “Thankfully Clare has found a new location near Aberbargoed and I know she will ensure it is a huge success, just as the business has been up until now.

“However, this is a blow to Bargoed town centre and I know many locals have shared their disappointment at losing the venue, as well as how Clare has been treated.

“Welsh Government has done a great deal of work making sure that renters in Wales are protected against rogue landlords and I would like to see the same level of protections in place for businesses like Dirty Cowgirl, which bring a lot of variety and footfall into our town centres, strengthening the economy.”

Responding to Dr David in the Senedd on Tuesday June 18, First Minister Vaughan Gething said the Welsh Government was waiting for the findings of a UK Government commissioned review of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – which includes the rights of business tenants.

He added: “I take on board the member’s point around if there’s been additional government investment in the premises itself, but I’d want to look at that in a rounded way, together with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, about what might be required, or what might help us in reform of the law, and the practical support that can provide for businesses.”