Cafe has to shut its doors
A POPULAR coastal cafe in Porthcawl which has served customers for 23 years has closed to make way for a major redevelopment.
WITH the sun finally returning and two bank holidays on the horizon, bosses of seafront cafes are braced for a bumper run towards summer.
But one popular cafe won’t be enjoying the boom after its shutters set came down for the final time at the weekend before it is demolished.
The Porthcawl venue, which was open for nearly a quarter of a century, is making way for a redevelopment.
After serving burgers, fast food and sandwiches for 23 years, Malc’s Cafe in Rest Bay shut for the final time on Sunday as the building is being demolished to make way for the new water sports centre and cafe.
The development is part of a number of improvements in the town – with a new coffee shop, pizzeria and restaurant aiming to give Porthcawl a “new lease of life”.
Bridgend council said the new centre and cafe in Rest Bay would provide high-quality facilities near the award-winning Blue Flag beach while “establishing an iconic, contemporary attraction capable of supporting and developing sports and leisure activities in the area”.
Speaking before the closure, cafe owner Malcolm Jeffreys, 53, said he was “absolutely gutted” about the news – especially as he helped with plans.
“The past three years I’ve been meeting with council officials and I’ve given what I felt they should be doing with the new development,” he said. “They’ve taken that all on board – what the potential is – hoping that would stand me in good stead for the future redevelopment.
“But what it’s worked out to be is because of the high value, they have to put it out to be tendered.
“They haven’t taken into account what I’ve done over the last 23 years. I know this is a done deal but I’m trying to appeal for a pop-up cafe near the site. I’m not opposed to the plans but I’m losing my livelihood and everything affected.
“I’m absolutely gutted. I am emotionally attached to the building. It’s all I’ve been thinking about in the last few months – I’ve had sleepless nights.
“It’s just the way it’s been handled. It’s like I’ve been talking to a robot. Legally they’re right but morally it’s a big thing. My livelihood is gone as of the end of the weekend.”
There is no guarantee Malcolm will be able to run the new cafe and kiosk that’s planned for the site so he’ll have to compete to get back in against other interested parties.
Until then the doors on Malc’s Cafe closed on Sunday with Malcolm due to vacate the premises on Monday.
“If I don’t win I know I’ve done all I can do,” he said. “At the end of the day all I want is the opportunity to be temporary so I can keep my customers a bit longer until the council appoint for the new place. I’m looking short-term.
“I’ve got a history of running a successful cafe. It’s all geared up to get the tender but it’s a big learning curve learning all the technical terms.
“My customers don’t see why it needs improvements but it does what it says on the tin. We have surfers, people with dogs. It’s a nice place to visit.
“It’s part of my life and I’ve built up a good reputation with customers. That’s going to be pulled from under my feet.
“With May Day coming up that normally pays my bills. It potentially can cover my mortgage for two months. It’s one of the biggest ones of the year. My family, friends and customers are in shock and disbe- lief how inhumane council officers have been. They haven’t taken into account everything I’ve done.”
Bridgend council says because the new centre is being provided using public funding, it is legally bound to hold a procurement process, which Malcolm can apply for.
A spokesman said: “The watersports centre is set to provide Rest Bay with new, high-quality visitor facilities and an iconic sports and leisure hub which will be available all year long.
“Porthcawl’s coastline and beaches have a long history of attracting residents and visitors and Rest Bay is known to be one of the best surf beaches in the UK. With more than 3.75m residents living within a two-hour drive of the area the centre will aim to capture the growing popularity of surfing and watersports in Wales and will help to develop Rest Bay as a uniquely-placed destination.
“The council is following strict procurement rules in all aspects of the centre’s construction and leasing and as such the tenancy will be awarded as part of a fair and open process.
“We’ve explained this to the current leaseholder and have told him that he is welcome to apply.”