alt.cardiff
January 2024 Issue 1
From farm to plate: Wales’ latest tourism strategy Takeaway store struggles amid single-use plastic ban
Interview: From teaching to independent business
Choosing to shop locally at Christmas
News
Laptop sanctions imposed in local coffee shop T&A Kebabs, located on Miskin Street in Cathays
Local takeaway store struggles amid single-use plastic ban Owner of T&A Kebabs says that manufacturers must reduce their plastic packaging in order for the singleuse ban to be effective
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ne Cardiff retailer has revealed that there is not enough wooden, or non-plastic alternatives in stock to comply with the new ban on single-use plastic products in Wales. The new law, introduced on 30 October, meant that stores had to reduce their single-use plastic stock and source either reusable, or non-plastic alternatives. Fast food refuse accounted for 20.7% of litter found on the streets of Wales between 2021 and 2022 according to research conducted by Keep Wales Tidy, being an issue the Welsh Government intended to eradicate with the imposed law. Zaid Akbar, owner of T&A Kebabs on Miskin Street in Cathays, has been affected significantly by the new law. The 53-year-old had to source alternatives of wooden cutlery and cardboard food containers to replace the plastic products he previously used. However, Akbar has stressed that the singleuse plastic ban will only have an impact once his suppliers stop delivering other goods in excessive amounts of plastic. Akbar said: “It defeats the object doesn’t it? If they stopped it at the source, then plastic would be reduced. “We need to see a reduction of the manufacturers and suppliers using plastic packaging. And I don’t know how long it will take for that to happen.”, he sighed. Akbar says that reducing plastic consumption is something we all need to do in order to reduce the impact it has upon our environment, oceans and animals. “The sooner they come up with something to stop wrapping these goods in plastic, the easier it will be for everyone,” he said.Phase two of the law will be introduced in 2026, it will also include the ban of plastic single-use carrier bags, polystyrene lids and products made of oxo-degradable plastic.
Words by: Hannah Wild
January 2024 | Alt.Cardiff
Rhostio Speciality Coffee has imposed restrictions upon laptop users to ensure their business remains an inclusive space for all customers. Tunahan Kirktepeli, owner of the Cathays coffee shop says he enforced the restrictions in order to keep customers satisfied, while keeping the place profitable. 23% of UK employees currently opt to work in a coffee shop once a week in order to minimise energy bills, boost productivity and be surrounded by other people; according to research conducted by Broadband Genie in October 2023. However, Kirktepeli, 40, commented that while everyone is welcomed at the front door, Rhostio is an independent business, and in order for the staff to survive, customers need to spend money. “We are, as a team, trying to make it possible for both parties involved,” he said.
Shopping locally at Christmas Cardiff residents are gift hunting in independent stores this Christmas, according to a snap poll taken at an independent shopping event. City of Arcades Day is an annual event which celebrates Cardiff’s independent shopping scene. At the event, Ben Wheeler, 33, said that he’d be shopping locally this Christmas: “It’s much nicer to gift something with a personal touch rather than the same chain rubbish.” However, Oliver Banks, a floor assistant at Green & Jenks in Castle Arcade recognises that outside of Christmas, shoppers prefer in-store and online retail giants. Attributing this to the cost-of-living crisis, Banks stated: “A lot of people like to shop independently, but whether they can afford it, that’s something different,” the 32-year-old said.
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Interview Cover image credit: Robert Kalinagil
Alwen Marshall Lewis Overcome by the harsh realities of teaching, Alwen Lewis transformed her life for the better after leaving the profession to launch an independent business
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fter 20 years of teaching, Alwen Marshall Lewis experienced a dramatic incident that awakened her to the strain teaching had put on her health, and her family. Having taught for 12 years in the Rhondda, and an additional eight years at a school in Cardiff, the mother of two was no stranger to the demanding workload and hectic teaching schedule However, after an evening spent working late, Lewis fainted in her living room; leaving her with a broken nose, a broken cheekbone and eight stitches down the side of her eye. “I just wasn’t looking after myself at all, health wise”, the 46-year-old sighs, pulling at the sleeves of her jumper. The incident was a wake up call for Lewis to prioritise her wellbeing in order to care for herself, and her two young children; now aged 10 and 14. “You do get to a point where you think there’s more to life than work,” she says, taking a sip from her cup of tea. “It really was a life changing experience.”
“I thought, that’s another place I enjoy, I’m really comfortable, and I know what I’m doing”, she says confidently, surrounded by the walls of her store which display an array of product dispensers. Influenced by her grandmother’s waste not, want not attitude, Lewis has always been frustrated by plastic packaging, which she believes to be the biggest environmental issue today. Lewis settled on the concept of a refill shop in order to begin reducing her own family’s waste, while hoping others would join them. “I don’t like wasting”, the Whitchurch-based shop owner states firmly. “But also as a family we love nature, we’re obsessed with David Attenborough, he’s a god!”, she chuckles gleefully. Lewis says people shouldn’t expect to change their habits overnight, but rather begin by changing one thing at a time. “If we all do the small steps together, then the impact will be great”, she says eagerly.
“If we all do the small steps together, then the impact will be great”
AN ECOFRIENDLY ETHOS With a determination to create a better life for herself, Lewis left teaching and opened Iechyd Da @CF14 on Merthyr Road in Whitchurch in June 2019; an eco-friendly, singleuse-plastic free, health foods and refill shop. Translating to ‘good health’, Iechyd Da encompasses the concept of a healthy lifestyle, supporting Lewis’ determination to improve her wellbeing. Having spent her teenage years working in the visitor shop of a butterfly farm in Anglesey, being in a shop environment was something Lewis always enjoyed.
January 2024 | Alt.Cardiff
A RISK WORTH TAKING Having found herself overwhelmed with support since opening her store, Lewis claims that despite her career change being the biggest risk she’s ever taken, it has been worth it. “Having the shop is a million times easier than teaching”, she laughs, referring to being able to set her own deadlines. Speaking on her future aspirations, Lewis radiates happiness, and it is evident she has transformed her life for the better. “Being able to enjoy life and keep healthy. Those are my hopes and dreams. Keep enjoying life”, she grins.
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January 2024 | Alt.Cardiff
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Feature
Wales
Long reads
The nation embracing local flavours for national identity
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ales is renowned for being the land of Cardiff’s local food outstanding natural beauty, magnificent culture coastline, nourishing Welsh cakes and a vibrant (albeit slightly overwhelming) rugby To increase the offerings of Welsh food and culture on match days. But while UK residents drink on their menus, hospitality businesses would made 53.11 million overnight trips to UK have to alter their supply chain; switching to local destinations between January and June of this suppliers only. Kacie Morgan, owner of The Rare year, only 3.79 million of these were to Wales. Welsh Bit blog says that when choosing somewhere Jane Cook, owner of HungryCityHippy blog to eat in Cardiff, she tends to look for highly feels there is often a jarring difference between rated independent restaurants which have a local how Welsh locals want Wales to be marketed, supply chain, “People appreciate knowing where compared to what makes it an attractive their food has come from nowadays,” she said. destination. “For younger people who want foodie Pearl Costello, the sustainable food places cocity breaks and exciting things to do, they don’t ordinator at Food Cardiff says that by sourcing necessarily know what Wales and ingredients from local producers Cardiff has to offer these days,” and suppliers, hospitality the Canton-based blogger said. “Wales is a cosmopolitan businesses are able to keep In an effort to strengthen the transport to a minimum, while destination, and it’s the tourism marketing brand of keeping money circulating in the food scene, combined Wales, Welsh Government is local community. “Reducing the with those cultural eleinvesting in food tourism to tell number of steps in the supply a story of national identity and ments that is really inter- chain, and getting to know culture. Hospitality businesses suppliers directly can increase esting to tourists” are being encouraged to the opportunity to ensure that source ingredients from local the ingredients purchased farmers and suppliers rather are produced in a way which than importing from overseas; increasing the is good for the climate and nature,” Costello amount of Welsh food and drink on their menus. said. As the city’s sustainable food partnership, Freelance PR consultant Cook says that food and Food Cardiff have published a business toolkit drink is incredibly important to Welsh tourism. “Wales to support hospitality businesses in committing is a cosmopolitan destination, and it’s the food to pledges such as sourcing local ingredients. scene, combined with those cultural elements that is Creating an eco-conscious really interesting to tourists,” the 37-year-old said. While a local food culture could attract more society visitors to Wales by offering authentic experiences of Welsh culture, it also aligns with Welsh Despite the work of Food Cardiff, Cardiff Government’s ambition of creating a “greener residents claim that they lack confidence when nation”. Tourism contributes around 8% to the looking to purchase sustainably produced food, world’s carbon emissions, and by reducing the with 42.3% stating that there’s often a lack of amount of food imported from overseas, Wales information provided by businesses on how their could significantly reduce its carbon footprint. food has been sustainably produced. The
January 2024 | Alt.Cardiff
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and growing produce on their own farm in Bristol. Speaking on Pasture’s accreditation from the SRA, Cook said: “There is a cost involved to go through it, but it involves really evidencing all the ways that you’re running a sustainable business, and in turn, makes you stand out from the crowd.”
Survival of the richest
Pasture, located on High Street in Cardiff City Centre
problem, according to Cook, is that the sustainability space is becoming increasingly crowded with hospitality businesses claiming sustainable practices. “I think one way consumers can evidence whether people are actually doing that much, and also the way that businesses can differentiate themselves from everyone else, is having the external accreditation to prove it,” she said. The Pasture Restaurant group, a collective of restaurants honouring fire-based cooking and local ingredients have recently received a three-star ‘Food Made Good’ accreditation from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). Located on High Street in Cardiff, Pasture are the first independently owned restaurant in Wales to receive the accreditation which acknowledges their sustainable practices; one of
While a greater offering of local Welsh produce could attract more visitors to Wales, many smaller, independent businesses may struggle with the costs required to establish themselves as a sustainable business providing local food and drink. Visit Cardiff, the official tourism body for Cardiff, claims that it promotes a “dynamic image” by advertising a variety of places to eat, drink and visit in Cardiff. But in order to be promoted on their website, it comes at an annual membership cost of £400. “Inevitably, cash-rich chains can all afford memberships, but many of the more cash-conscious independents can’t or won’t subscribe,” Cook said. Alongside this, Morgan recognises that many independents may struggle with the costs of switching to a local supply chain. “It’s important to consider the financial impact this change could have on independent hospitality businesses in Wales. “With costs on the rise as it is, changing suppliers to source produce locally could mean more expense for small businesses,” she said Welsh Government may face a major problem in its efforts to promote Wales as a global tourist destination because of this. While investment into the local food scene could be optimal for visitor growth by offering dishes of Welsh identity and culture, if smaller independents are unable to gain recognition for being a sustainable business providing Welsh produce, tourist destinations such as Cardiff may lose their charm.
“With costs on the rise as it is, changing suppliers to source produce locally could mean more expense for small businesses”
Restaurants and pop-ups serving local produce in Cardiff: • • •
Pasture - CF10 1BB The Heathcock - CF5 2EN Ansh - CF5 1BE
January 2024 | Alt.Cardiff
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Thomas - CF11 9HQ Kindle - CF11 9SZ Gorse - Pop-up
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Lahmacun - Pop-up Vines - Pop-up
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