How about a latte with your letter? Former high street bank thriving as a post office and coffee shop

A former high street bank has become a thriving all-in-one coffee shop and post office more than two years after it closed its doors as a branch of Lloyds.

Ian Rosser and his wife Claire bought the Newbridge premises, now called The Bank, in February last year to house Ian’s financial advice business.

But despite not being part of the original plans for the building, the couple decided to convert the downstairs into a coffee shop and post office to cater for the needs of the local community.

Ian told Caerphilly Observer: “We listened to the feedback we received from locals about the area. Many people told us that the town had gone downhill since the bank and post office had closed.”

After refurbishing the entire property, which was vacated by Lloyds in 2016, Ian and Claire opened the coffee shop in September last year with a limited menu.

Ian said: “We didn’t want to do a grand opening as we had no experience of running a coffee shop and wanted to learn on the job. We didn’t really know what to expect.”

But now, their menu includes sandwiches, cakes, toasties, paninis, breakfast, wine, beer and desserts. The Bank also offers a children’s menu and of course, coffee.

But Ian said: “My mother’s carrot cake is by far the most popular item on the menu without a doubt whatsoever.”

The coffee shop has since become a regular meeting point for the community and has had visitors from as far afield as Cardiff, Sweden and the United States. They have even served Owen Money and Joe Calzaghe.

The post office opened in November and is the only post office in Newbridge. Before, residents had to travel to Crumlin or Abercarn.

Ian added: “Our initial aim was to attract people to our financial services business, but now we want to make something for the community.

“We just want to create a place where people can meet up, have a coffee and use the post office.

“We’re trying to keep it in the local community for everyone’s benefit. We source all our produce locally – the meats we use come from the local butchers.”

The Bank, which employs nine members of staff, has also benefited other local businesses in the area since opening.

Chris Heel, manager of Newbridge Trading Company Ltd, said: “It’s brought a lot more people back to Newbridge, it’s what we needed here in the town.”

Mr Heel added: “The owners are friendly people too. It’s great for the community.”

The interior was designed and fitted by Advanced Electrical Solutions and Advanced Contracting Solutions. The owners wanted the design to maintain as much of the building’s character as possible.

“We re-used the materials from the original entrance for our new entrance. We also converted the old safe into a restroom and a storeroom- It took us three days to cut through the safe to put a door there.”

Ian’s financial services businesses – Bright Financial Affiliates Ltd and Personal Wealth Management South Wales Ltd – is located upstairs and employs a further seven people.