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When Ed and Angela Crabtree picked up the keys to Caerphilly’s old library building in June 2015, they had little idea of the journey ahead of them. By September, the doors were open, Angela was juggling a newborn in a car seat, and the couple were serving their first customers.

“It was an exhausting three months,” Ed recalled. “Angela’s dad and I built the service counter and we were coming over every night trying to clear it all out.

“Angela was eight months pregnant and I remember one night I sat down to eat and just burst into tears. I was that tired.”

A decade on, their hard work has paid off. The Old Library coffee shop has grown into a much-loved community hub, where craft groups, baby music classes, bridge players, and council drop-in sessions have all found a home.

The idea began when the couple, who had recently returned to Caerphilly, noticed the empty building on walks through Morgan Jones Park. “I kept saying, I wish someone would do something with it,” Angela said.

“It got to the point where we were talking about it so much, Ed said ‘Let’s do something about it.’”
The couple duly contacted the council and, following a lease application secured the building for community use.

Cllr Jamie Pritchard was a newly-elected member for the Morgan Jones ward in 2013 when he started asking residents what they wanted to see at the old library building. This was before it closed with services moved to the new building in the town centre.

Now the interim leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Pritchard said: “People wanted to see the old library put to good use, and this was the best idea to come forward. It’s been a real success story.”

Running the café hasn’t always been easy. Covid brought uncertainty, while rising food and energy prices have made balancing the books difficult. Yet the Old Library has endured – thanks in no small part to its ethos of being a not-for-profit business rooted in community spirit.

Today, the café is preparing for the future by converting to a Community Interest Company, which will allow for a formal community asset transfer of the building from council ownership and greater involvement from volunteers.

Day-to-day operations are managed by Rachel Slade, who joined as a junior staff member when the café first opened and has since risen to become manager.

“Other than the coffee, the staff are our strongest asset,” said Ed. “They’re loved by everyone who comes in. People feel welcome here – I honestly can’t think of a negative comment.”

The café has also served as a launchpad for others. Groups such as Tots Play and Role Play Lane began at the Old Library before branching out into their own ventures. “That’s what we’ve always wanted,” said Angela. “To give groups a start and help them grow.”

As the café turns ten, customers are being invited to celebrate with them. Throughout October, anyone quoting “We’re turning ten” will receive 10% off their order.

“It’s been a long journey from those early nights painting skirting boards with a baby in tow,” said Ed. “But to see how loved the Old Library has become makes it all worthwhile.”