Cllr Jamie Pritchard

I'd really like to thank the small businesses who have contacted me, having seen my daily posts this month. If we encourage just one extra sale, or one extra trip to the high street, this could make a difference!

Supporting Local Businesses - 8/31 Fish Kitchen 1931

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. Next one up is Fish Kitchen 1931, who have recently opened in Bargoed.

The new building is rich with historic photographs of Bargoed and celebrates the town in the most imaginative way. The team have been working hard to turn this venue into a great business and they have proved a great addition to the town.

Why not give their page a like and support them this January!

If any local business would like to contact me, please do - [email protected]

First door knocking session of 2024 in the bag. Good to speak to residents on Nantgarw Road earlier. Back on the door next week, as usual.

Councillors Weekly Update

I've just sent out my first weekly update of 2024. Topics include:

Small Business Support ✅
Youth 5 to 9 ✅
Upcoming Budget ✅

If you live in the Morgan Jones ward, and want to be added to my list, please e mail me - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses - 7/31 B Thomas Pet And Garden Supplies

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. Next one up is B Thomas Pet And Garden Supplies who have a well - established business in Hanbury Rd, Bargoed.

Having open in the 1950’s, B Thomas Pet and Garden Supplies is one of the longest established shops in Bargoed. From pet food, toys and accessories to live fish, reptiles and small animals. For the gardening fanatics, they also stock a wide range of garden must haves; including pots, gardening equipment and plants.

Why not give their page a like and support them this January!

If any local business would like to contact me, please do - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses - 6/31 Hancox's Pies

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. Next one up is Hancox's Pies who have a business on the Pontygwindy Industrial Estate, Caerphilly (formally Gilfach).

Alex Hancox, who runs the shop with his husband Delme, and dedicated staff, said “I was sad because [Gilfach] is where I started, where it all began – and I will never forget it. But it’s time to expand.” Alex said the move has gone "extremely well" as they look forward to the future.

The shop is open seven days a week and sells around 300 items. This, along with a catering and an events side of the business, means support is key.

Hancox's Pies Pies are a multi - award winning business, so why not give their page a like and support them this month!

If any local business would like to contact me, please feel free to get in touch - [email protected]

Caerphilly On Ice - Last Day Tomorrow

As Caerphilly On Ice heads towards the final day, I've continued to receive positive vibes about what the experience has been for people who have visited. The big wheel and the skating has been incredibly popular. It's important we work hard to secure events like this in Caerphilly County Borough.

Supporting Local Businesses - 5/31 Veg of Evans

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. Next one up is Veg of Evans who runs a family business at 16 Penallta road, Ystrad Mynach.

Sue Evans, who has been trading for nearly ten years, said " We sell fruit, veg, salad, eggs, milk, Cole’s Bakery bread, cakes, sweets, jams, curds, marmalades and chutneys and biscuits. We have won Best of Welsh Business award for the last three years running for Best Convenience Store. We offer free delivery, just inbox us through FB or give us a ring on 01443 858140".

Why not give their page a like and support them this month!

If any local business would like to contact me, please feel free to get in touch - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses - 4/31 Sara's Kitchen

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. Next one up is Sara's Kitchen, who will be celebrating their 1st year anniversary at their premises at 18 Castle Street, Caerphilly.

Sara said “ said: “We have a total focus on fresh homemade hearty, yummy food and the menu will be varied to suit everyone’s taste buds. I have always had a vision of owning my own shop, over the years I have put a lot of hard work and been 100 per cent committed to doing my best within job roles I have been in".

Have a look at her page and help to spread the word :)

If any local business would like to contact me, please feel free - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses - 3/31 Burns - Soulfully You

Over the month of January, I will be supporting a local business every day on my social media pages. 3rd one up is Burns - Soulfully You - A Certified Reflexologist and Wellness Coach connected with Neurodiversity support.

Emma, who has a base in Rudry, says "Reflexology not only brings to light the troubles your body maybe trying to communicate with you but also the emotional stress that's connected to it also".

Have a look at her page and help to spread the word :)

If any local business would like to contact me, please feel free - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses 2/31 - Ricci's Cafe Bargoed.

Over the month of January, I will be featuring a local business on my social media pages. Second one up is Ricci's Cafe Bargoed. Ricci's is one of Wales' oldest cafés. They sell hot & cold meals and snacks to eat in or take away. Why not also try their home made Ice Cream.

Ricci's Cafe has been serving customers from their shop in Bargoed for many years. Why not grab a coffee in front of the Miners Heads Miners' Heads public artwork at Hanbury Square.

If any local, independent business would like to get in touch with me, please feel free - [email protected]

Supporting Local Businesses - C 'n' K Haberdashery 1/31

Over the month of January, I will be featuring a local business on my page every day. First one up is C 'n' K Haberdashery, who have a shop in Goodrich Street, Caerphilly. Please have a read and think about popping along to support this local, Independent business.

In 2011, Claire Mcgurk started working for a friends haberdashery two days a week. When her friends left the shop in the indoor market, Claire took it over. In 2023, Claire opened lovely shop on the corner of Bartlett and Goodrich St.

Claire says "We sell a wide range of Haberdashery, From lace trim, felt, bettons, cotton, trimmings, ribbon, plus we are a supplier of James C Brett and King Cole Yarn. You will also find handmade cardigans blankets in store. We also sell handmade cosmetics, bath bombs, soap sponges, Shower gels, room sprays and wax melts in store. Why not pop in and have a browse? Buying from a small business means the world to us".

If any local, Independent business would like to get in touch with me, please feel free - [email protected]

All The Best For 2024!

I'd like to wish everyone a great 2024. As your local councillor, I'm determined to continue with a positive agenda in the year ahead. Let's all work together for brighter times 🙂

Supporting Businesses In January - Take A Selfie!

Why don't we give our hard working businesses a bit of support by promoting an independent business or trader in your local town centre or village. January is usually a difficult month for businesses, so all we have to do is tag a business in a post after buying an item from them and take a selfie.

If you think this is a good idea, then please post below!

Caerphilly On Ice - Feedback Sent

Can I thank everyone who left feedback on my FB page regarding Caerphilly On Ice. There is substantial support for a return of the event next year, so I have sent the operator all the comments submitted. As your local councillor, I will continue to do all I can to promote more positive events for Caerphilly in 2024!

Caerphilly Artisan Market is back on Saturday 13th January. January is usually a tough month for businesses, so lets do all we can to support them!

*Reminder* Christmas Refuse and Recycling Collection Times

Would you like to see Caerphilly On Ice return again next year?

I'm collecting feedback so I can report the views of residents in the New Year. Please feel free to put a yes or no in this message, or e mail me your thoughts - [email protected]

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope 2024 brings good health and wellbeing to all.

Popped into the new Consurio Lounge for a coffee this morning. I have to say, the service and vibe was excellent. The view isn't bad either 😊

New Years Message - My priority for 2024. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

In 2023 I dedicated a lot of my work on supporting job retention & creation and turning my focus to our town centres. In a challenging environment, supporting good jobs, close to home, won’t come along by itself, so a positive approach is required.

Through efforts to improve the relationship with the business community, I have been able to develop on our partnership with Welsh ICE. Through 2023, I took time to meet with Welsh Ice on various occasions. Some of the highlights of the year was judging one of the 5 to 9 clubs and taking part in the ‘Hackathon’. A number of the businesses who took part are local and known to the community, looking for that little bit extra to propel themselves further. An exciting, new 8 week programme for young people aged between 16 – 25 will be delivered at Welsh ICE Head Quarters in early 2024. The programme will aim to capture the potential talent we know exists there in the community. The course is designed to equip young visionaries aged 16-24 with the tools and guidance to turn their business dreams into reality. A great opportunity awaits in 2024!

I’ve learned that small businesses come in many shapes and sizes. Over the last twelve months, I’ve been putting in a lot of effort to support the many stallholders who work in all weathers in our town centres. In Caerphilly Town Centre, we’re blessed with three, active organisations who help to bring footfall to the town. Crafty Legs Events, Castle Court Food & Craft Fair & Caerphilly Artisan Market are to be applauded for their efforts. We can do our bit by paying the stall holders a visit and buying the odd item. I’ve been struck by the amount of quality there is from many talented individuals. I will be working harder to promote the markets as much as possible over the next twelve months and getting out and about to meet with more stall holders. Let’s all work to promote these businesses and help them grow in 2024.

I was delighted to see the expansion of small business activity in 2023 when Crafty Legs Events were able to run a monthly market in Bargoed, as well as retaining their presence in Caerphilly. The increase in equipment, helped by grant funding through the local authority, has allowed for more small businesses to operate in our town centres. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Gareth & Sarah, who run Crafty Legs Events. The meetings the business team have facilitated meetings have contributed to them, as an organisation, grow. The healthy events programme has provided further opportunities for stall holders to sell their goods, and hopefully increase their own opportunities to expand in 2024.

The events programme has been very successful in 2023. The numerous events across Caerphilly County Borough have been strongly supported by residents. The Food Festival, Little Cheese, Caerphilly Christmas Market, Caerphilly 10k, the Tour of Britain, Caerphilly Pride & the new Caerphilly On Ice have all contributed to positively put Caerphilly on the map. It has been a conscious decision again to hold events more in the town centre to help the town as we fight the forces of internet shopping and challenging retail environment. Despite the financial challenges, In order to increase the support to town centres, We will be increasing the number of events in 2024.

The key thing for me is improving the way we communicate and engage with businesses. We have made Business Stakeholder Meetings much more focussed on the business, less on councillors. Attendance is up, and so is confidence. When businesses were asked whether the Town Centre Stakeholder meetings were meeting their objective, a significant uptick in positive responses in 2023 compared to the previous year. It’s a pleasure to work with such an ambitious business and events team, which makes my job easier. We must build closer ties with the business community in 2024 to encourage businesses to expand.

The Caerphilly Enterprise Fund has had a really positive impact on getting money to support businesses on a 50/50 contribution. I know the fund is very important to retain and create jobs in Caerphilly. As of October 2023, the fund had safeguarded 426 jobs and contributed to create 149. That is why the fund was initially increased threefold, and then boosted at regular opportunities. This is a conscious decision to back the business community, and I will be working with colleagues to explore further funding opportunities to support more businesses in 2024.

I know residents don’t expect everything to be perfect, but when it comes to employment opportunities, things don’t just fall into anybody’s lap. Meaningful employment and a healthy relationship with the local authority is fundamental, so when residents ask me what my priority is for 2024, I say jobs, jobs, jobs!

Pics –

5 to 9 club
Welsh Ice
Mobile Solutions benefitting from Council support
Speaking in support of 40 – 50 jobs in Caerphilly
Sara's Kitchen

Crafty Legs Events
Castle Court Craft & Food Market. Caerphilly
Caerphilly Artisan Market
Welsh ICE

Consurio Lounge - Open Tomorrow

The new Railway opened on December 4th. The Consurio Lounge will open (tomorrow) 20th December. In a challenging time for the High Street everywhere, we're glad these businesses have had the confidence to make Caerphilly their home.

New lounge chain set to open in Caerphilly this week Café-bar chain Loungers is set to open its latest venue, Consurio Lounge, in Caerphilly town centre on Wednesday December 20.

Review of the Year

Last week I said I was sending out my last weekly update of 2023. I've decided to send a final one shortly, which will re-cap on 2023, and look forward to events of 2024. I'm positive about what we can all achieve in the year ahead.

If you would like to support small businesses on their journey, then please give these local Caerphilly pages a like. Shopping local is so important in such a challenging environment!

Castle Court Craft & Food Market. Caerphilly
Crafty Legs Events
Caerphilly Artisan Market

I've just sent out my latest weekly update. Topics include:

Local Planning Application ✅
Wellbeing Centre ✅
Planting - Update ✅
Xmas Refuse & Recycling ✅

If you live in the Morgan Jones Ward and would like to be added, please get in touch - [email protected]

This will mean a radical improvement to facilities. I'm happy progress in on target to deliver such a big project.

Work to build Caerphilly's new leisure centre set to begin next summer Work on building a new leisure centre in Caerphilly should begin in summer 2024, according to the person managing the £33.6 million project.