HOW A STUDENT SUBURB COPED IN LOCKDOWN
Businesses in the student suburb of Cathays have been hit especially hard during lockdown. Aamir Mohammed found out how they’ve coped
THIS time of year should be one of the busiest for Ceri Bower’s business The Early Bird Bakery.
Situated slap bang in the heart of Cardiff student suburb Cathays, the late spring and early summer months usually bring about a roaring trade.
Its hangover-reducing brunches are popular with students who have overdone it the night before – and its cakes and coffees have served as the perfect fuel for those about to thrust themselves into the stressful world of exams and end-of-year assignments.
It’s also in a prime location – a stone’s throw from legendary student pub the Woodville, a short walk from the Students’ Union and surrounded by student houses.
In fact, the business has been doing so well that Ceri was working on opening not just one, but two more shops by the end of the year.
Then came lockdown. Businesses were forced to close - and students upped sticks and headed back home to mum and dad.
Customers were gone and the money dried up almost instantly.
Ceri who is the director at the cafe, said: “It has definitely been tough for us because May and June are usually our busiest periods of the year. We take around 30% of our earnings during these months.
“We were planning on opening two more shops towards the end of the year, but we have now had to take loans out for those which obviously isn’t an ideal situation.
“A lot of our staff are students who work part time so we have missed them and seeing our regular customer base around Cathays. It’s definitely getting busier though as students move back in.”
The cafe serves up traditional breakfasts while also serving brunch, fresh pastries and coffee.
Ceri added: “Luckily we have a garden area so when we are allowed to re-open we can do when it’s safe to do so.
“It means people can socially distance themselves and we’ll be adapting our cafe to ensure everyone is safe. Hopefully we will be back open soon.”
The situation is the same for Caribbean restaurant Irie Shack - less than 200 metres up Woodville Road.
Since opening up in 2013, its owner Iffy Harris has worked hard to bring the authentic taste of Jamaica to the streets of Cathays.
The restaurant gave out free meals to the NHS when the country went in to lockdown but a lot of food also had to be thrown away.
Iffy believes the First Minister neglected the hospitality industry.
He said: “I can’t understand how you can go shopping in stores with people bumping into each other, touching products, go and have your hair or nails done in couple of weeks, but the FM can’t consider the hospitality trade.
“When the country went into lockdown we donated a lot of meals to the NHS and gave food to family and friends but even then things had to be chucked away.
“It isn’t nice but we had no choice. Luckily, any of the cold or frozen items were stored away safely and weren’t wasted.”