A woman who grew up in Pontnewydd Village and attended Maendy Primary School has returned to the area to reopen a much-loved cafe that closed last year.
Trios Teashop on Richmond Road was opened by Lesley Saunders in 2014, but she took the tough decision to shut it for personal health reasons in December 2024.
A hunt for someone to take over the final five years of the lease with all the fixtures and fittings was unsuccessful. So she decided to sell the beautiful Welsh dresser packed with china tea cups and pots that was a cute feature in her shop – and this led to finding the new owner.
Claire Sully spotted it for sale on Facebook and got in touch as she thought the lease had been sold.
I popped into Serendipitea, the new name of her cafe, and recognised several of the staff that worked in Trios are back. Claire told me after she spoke to Lesley about the dresser, the chat turned to taking on the lease.
Claire said: “The rest as they say, is history. It’s always been a dream of mine, this is third time lucky [of planning to start a business]. I chickened out twice before and stuck with my original career which was food science, food safety, in a food manufacturing background.
“And then the last eight years, I was in health and safety.”
She said she’s now in a: “…different position. Life’s totally different so the time is now.”
‘Community hub’
I asked how Serendipitea would remain a place for the community.
She said: “Trios did have that community hub. Although we’ve changed the name, given it a little refresh of paint and a different colour scheme, it’s the same community hub enjoyed by all the people that are all around.
“That whole community vibe of bringing people together, it’s always been a lovely little village and to think of Pontnewydd without a little tea room or somewhere to go was hard so yes, here I am, taking on that mantle. All because of a dresser.”
What was it like on the first day when she opened the door?
She said: “Oh my goodness. I was so nervous, I didn’t know whether people were going to turn up. One, would anybody turn up or would we be so busy that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself? And it turned out to be the latter. I didn’t know my top from tail that day.
“It’s been steady ever since. People have come back and yes, it’s lovely to see the regulars coming in.
“We’ve got a gentleman that comes in with Alzheimer’s. His daughter pays in advance for him and we just take it off that bill. So we know he’s fed for that day and good to rock ‘n roll for the rest of the day.”
Art by a local artist for sale
The walls feature artwork created by Deb Smiley, a local artist. Customers can buy her work and Serendipitea receives a commission.
Claire went to the event earlier this week at Maendy Primary School for former pupils to look around before it’s demolished and pupils move to the new school on the same site.
She said: “Three of the teachers were there that taught me. It was amazing to see them.
“The school was heaving.”
They’re open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Sundays and Mondays are available for private functions. Takeaways and buffets for outside events are also available.
Serendipitea is at 7 Richmond Road Pontnewydd, Cwmbran.