Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

“I just thought we wouldn’t make it” – new businesses discuss Covid-19 struggles

Business, News | Rhys Williams | Published: 15:15, Thursday August 27th, 2020.
Last updated: 15:18, Thursday August 27th, 2020
Aviary staff members at the cocktail bar's official opening
Aviary staff members at the cocktail bar’s official opening

With the world’s economy currently at the mercy of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s been a tough year for many businesses, not least the ones which started during the uncertainty.

Aviary – a 1920s-themed cocktail bar on Cardiff Road, Caerphilly town – and Gilfach’s Portuguese-inspired pie shop, Hancox’s Pies, are among the businesses to have opened during these troubled times.

Aviary owner Calvin Evans-Morgan said opening during the current circumstances was “hard”.

Mr Evans Morgan said: “It’s been my dream to open a cocktail bar for years and years. I viewed this premises a number of times and I finally took the plunge and went for it.

“There were long negotiations and I signed a lease the day before lockdown, and I just thought we wouldn’t make it.”

Second coronavirus grant for self-employed opens

The business, which employs six, held its socially-distanced official opening on August 14, but had originally planned to open in March.

Mr Evans-Morgan said: “It took a while – our suppliers weren’t working, we couldn’t do this, we couldn’t do that, so everything has delayed it.

“We can finally open, but with all the precautions in place.

“We’re at half capacity, and for someone who’s made no money in the last five months, it is very hard.”

But Mr Evans-Morgan said the feedback he’s received from customers has been “really positive”.

Plans for new brewery and tap house lodged

Sandra Wong, who works at Aviary, said the circumstances had been “overwhelming”, but was looking forward to a brighter future.

Ms Wong said: “We need to keep our heads up high and look forward to next year.”

Despite the uncertainty during the early stages of lockdown, Ms Wong said they were able to “take advantage” of the extra time they had before opening, and further develop ideas about how the business will operate.

Meanwhile in Gilfach, Alexandre Hancox opened a new pie shop during the pandemic.

Staff members at Hancox’s Pies celebrate their opening

Hancox’s Pies, which is on Commercial Street, opened in July, and is inspired by the recipes of Mr Hancox’s Portuguese mother.

Mr Hancox, 40, had been making the pies at home and delivering them to customers, but during lockdown decided to open a shop to cope with an increased demand.

He said: “At the beginning, I did question if I would be able to do this, but we’ve had many orders. We already have more than 3,500 people on our Facebook page.

“We’re hoping to be even busier after coronavirus. Some people are still unsure whether they should go out.”

Mr Hancox said there had been a positive response to the opening of his shop.


Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Ben Francis, chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales, said: “We don’t yet know what the impact of coronavirus will be on the economic landscape in the longer term, and, in turn, whether this will lead to people starting up on their own because of a lack of opportunities in the job market.

“What we do know, is that Wales is a nation of entrepreneurs who make a huge contribution to our economy, and that there must be significant support for self-employment from Welsh Government in order to help provide a bridge for those who might choose to move from employment to working for themselves.”

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Caerphilly Media
Hancox's Pies

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest News

  • Treowen Stars snatch late point against ten-man Cwmbran CelticSaturday, September 6, 2025
  • Labour chooses Richard Tunnicliffe as Caerphilly by-election candidateSaturday, September 6, 2025
  • HM Morgan Engineers is based in Trecenydd, Caerphilly
    ‘I don’t know what the future would have been’: Caerphilly firm turns around fortunesFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council's headquarters in Tredomen
    Complaints about council in line with Welsh averageFriday, September 5, 2025
  • education
    Schools with ‘very high surpluses’ expected to justify unspent fundingFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Gerwyn Price is through to the second round of the World Matchplay
    Price to compete at Czech Darts Open after recovering from hand injuryFriday, September 5, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 4, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: St Cenydd Road, TrecenyddTuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Heol Aneurin, PenyrheolTuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Tredegar Street, RiscaSaturday, August 16, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.