A NEW coffee shop opened at Llandudno Junction railway station today (March 1), and proved a hit with travellers.
Porter’s Café, which is run by CAIS Social Enterprise (a subsidiary of Adferiad), opened today after more than a year of work putting the site together.
Situated between platforms 1 and 3, Porter’s coffee shop will be open Monday to Saturday.
The shop saw a lot of footfall on day one, with the station an important changeover stop for passengers travelling to Llandudno, Gwynedd and Anglesey.
The shop sells a wide range of food and drink options, with hot and cold beverages, brunch options, sandwiches, and pastries.
It was officially opened by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, and Adferiad’s Chair of Trustees, Clive Wolfendale.
They were joined by representatives from CAIS, Transport for Wales, Conwy County Borough Council, and other partners.
The shop is Adferiad’s third to operate in North Wales, following the good work already being done at Colwyn Bay Leisure Centre and Llandudno Troop Café, a community-led café situated on the coach park in Llandudno.
The site’s original café, at Station Road in Colwyn Bay, was recently transformed into a social supermarket and is still run by the mental health charity.
Mark Welsh, CAIS social enterprises service manager, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to grow and develop our social enterprise café’s across North Wales.
“We already operate Porter’s Coffee Shop in Colwyn Bay and the opportunity to place our brand in a prime position in Llandudno Junction is exciting for our development as an award-winning social enterprise.
“It will ensure that we are able to continue providing employment and training in the local area, as well as giving people ethe choice to give back to the local community when they go out to for a coffee.”
Alexia Course, chief commercial officer for Transport for Wales, said: “TFW is delighted to have been able to work with Adferiad in taking occupation at Llandudno Junction and is excited to see the official opening of their café facility that will provide support to those who need it within the local community,”
Lynn Bennoch, chair of the board for CAIS Social Enterprises said: “The opening of this cafe continues our ongoing support for the local community in Conwy.
“As a social enterprise, any profits made by the cafe will be invested back into Adferiad’s community services to ensure that people who need the support the most will receive it.
“Our new venture also provides an additional premises for us to deliver these services in the shape of groups, working experience and training.
“The cafe will provide the opportunity for customers to be socially conscious, as the success of our cafes means more growth for our support services.”
Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders told the Pioneer: “I know I’ll be using it, because I get the train every week, and quite often there isn’t a trolley on the train.
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“This will be really, really useful and Llandudno Junction is a beautiful railway station and it’s a well-used railway station so I wish them all the success.
“The fact that they [the charity] help people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues, and it’s really important that people have a second chance.
“They work so hard to get people to get back into work, and it’s testament to the fact that organisations working together can help so much.
“13 years ago, they opened their first café, and it’s grown into this marvellous organisation.
“I wish the café all the best.”
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