A Port Talbot patisserie has thrown open the doors of a new shop and has big plans to expand for the future.
Robert Hindle, director of La Creme Patisserie, said the first day of trading in Abergavenny had been a success and they were looking to open another store in Monmouth in the new year.
The family business, which was founded by Sian and Ian Hindle in 2005, has grown from the first cafe in Neath, to a kitchen in Baglan, to another shop in Neath to switch the business to a 10,000sqft industrial unit in Cwmbran.
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Stores are also thriving in Llandaff in Cardiff, Cwmbran, along with Abergavenny and Baglan and the firm now has a 40-strong team.
Robert said they took steps to diversify the business during the pandemic and new shops are part of the plan.
He said: “We always knew Abergavenny is a foodie town, with independent retailers and a busy high street.
“We did the food festival year-on-year. We thought it was an ideal place for our products.
“We had an incredible response - it was a great first day.
He added: “We like to make really nice cake for really nice people.”
The firm caters for Kew Gardens, the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, Celtic Manor, Goodwood Racecourse and Henley Regatta.
Robert said the firm was determined to capitalise on its success.
“We will go everywhere,” he said. “I would like us to be like Patisserie Valerie.
“The shops are a key part of supplying to the general public.
“We are a passionate Welsh company, with a lot of ambitions and aspirations.”
The company faced a real challenge during the pandemic and lost 100 per cent of its industrial customers during March 2020.
It led customers to order in supplies to their homes and word of mouth saw the level of orders grow.
Robert said: “We did a home delivery service and in the first week we had 12 orders, then it was 60 and VE Day we had 170 deliveries over the South Wales area - the response was amazing.
“They would send a gift to their mum and sister and they would send it through their friend, it would go through word of mouth and Facebook.
“We are making 30,000 pieces of cake from our base in Cwmbran. ”
He added: “It’s been a family effort.”
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Managing director Sian Hindle, who shared a post of the opening of La Creme Patisserie in Abergavenny on social media, said: “It has been a real team effort to get the shop ready and I am so excited to be bringing our cakes and desserts to such a fantastic foodie town.
“Next challenge is Christmas and then we will be opening our Monmouth shop in the new year.”
