A Cwmban cafe described as a “community gem” is closing after serving the community for ten years.
Lesley Saunders, the owner of Trios on Richmond Road in Pontnewydd, hopes to find someone who can take over the lease of the “goldmine” for the next five years.
I sat down with Lesley, 68, this week over a coffee to ask her why it was closing? Last year a fall down stairs saw her off work for three and half months with a broken shoulder. Then in 2024, she picked up a chest infection that’s been followed by treatment for lung damage- with doctors advising her to look after her health.
She told me: “I used to do six days, lucky if I can do two and half days now. I just thought, you know what, I’ve got to give it up. I don’t want to. There’s another five years left on the lease.
“It’s my passion. I love it. My heart and soul is in it.
“It’s been such a community asset. They’ve all said we’re the ‘pearl in the village’, the ‘little gem’. People come in from not only the village, but all over the place.”
Regulars who have visitors from other countries will often bring them to Trios, and some leave gifts like a “teacup from Canada” that now sits on the cafe’s “unique” china dresser.
She said: “The community are really sad about it. My little strapline has been ‘something a little different’.
“Afternoon tea is ‘big’. Groups come in their droves, groups of ladies, WI (Women’s Institution, friendship groups, and chapel groups.
“I want it to stay for the community.”
Lesley had long careers with Boots and Age Concern Torfaen before opening up in the village.
She said: “People said to me ‘oh, a cafe in Pontnewydd. That won’t last, this won’t be here long’. Well ten years, that’s not bad is it.”
The cafe will close on Saturday 21 December with 26 people already booked in for a “big breakfast”- although she’s keeping some tables free for walk-ins. The day before, Friday 20 December, the staff are holding a “Farewell Friday” with customers welcome to pop in and say goodbye.
The cafe employs four staff and Lesley paid tribute to them: “What a fantastic team they are. They’ve covered for me when I haven’t been here and got on with it.” She said it was thanks to them that the cafe has had a five-star hygiene rating for ten years.
“It’s a team. They are just amazing, brilliant.”
The cafe has hosted many youngsters on placements- a number Lesley says “she can’t count.”
St David’s Foundation has used the venue for several fundraising events. Lesley estimates the charity has raised over £7,000 over the last couple of years at Trios.
She said: “It wasn’t just about having a business, it was about doing things for other people as well because that’s what I’ve always been about.”
Regular group bookings include visits from Sainsbury’s Retired Staff, a dementia carers’ group, the Soroptimists, walkers’ groups, and good neighbours’ groups.
The cafe has an alcohol licence and can stay open until 10pm.
I spotted friends Jill Merrett and Angela Walker chatting over hot drinks at a table by the window. They’ve been meeting at Trios since it opened.
Jill said: “It’s a lovely little cafe. A shame it’s closing but she [Lesley] has got to look after herself, hasn’t she? I think it’s a good little business. It’s needed in a place like this.”
If you want to find out more about the lease, please contact Lesley at Trios.
She said: “You just want somebody with a bit of imagination and hard work and it’s a little goldmine.”
I asked how she plans to enjoy her retirement. Lesley won’t be putting her feet up. If her health allows she hopes to do some volunteering for St David’s and the dementia group.