The modern market that has changed the face of a Welsh town

It's been one year since a modern market opened in Caerphilly and business owners say it has changed the town for the better. Ffos Caerffili opened in April 2024 on Cardiff Road following the closure of the town's former indoor market on Pentrebane Street. In its first 12 months the market and food court has established itself as a destination venue with appearances on the BBC ’s Chris Cooks Cymru and Escape to the Country, as well as being named one of the UK’s best food halls by The Sunday Times.

The first project in Caerphilly County Borough Council’s 2035 regeneration masterplan, Ffos Caerffili has provided 28 units for food and drink operators, independent shops and workspaces, as well as a terrace allowing for outdoor dining and events. The Welsh Government provided 58% of the project's cost with a grant of £2.09m and loan of £600,000 from its Transforming Towns programme.



The remainder of the funding came from the local council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here Current independent traders at the market include a craft workshop, a handmade cosmetics shop and a Welsh drink shop. At the foodcourt you can grab anything from bao buns, burgers and pizza to coffee and ice cream.

Bethan Davies has been a trader at the market from the very beginning with her craft business Joy House Creations. She runs regular workshops for adults and children, with an emphasis on helping people slow down and focus on mindfulness. Originally from Nottingham but with family links to Aberdare , the 29-year-old said she jumped at the chance to get involved, hoping that the project would be a positive addition to Caerphilly town centre.

She said the unit is her first permanent business address but that she is now in a position to expand into a bigger unit at Ffos. She said: "I've had a business for the last four years but until last year I was renting spaces. I saw Ffos come up and I thought that looks like a brilliant place to make a home for my business.

I've been here since the beginning and it's been so lovely, it's such a good space." Describing what her business offers, she said: "All through the holidays we do kids workshops and do a different workshop every day, but our main ones are pottery painting, needle felting, lino printing, macramé, screen printing - anything under the sun. It's all with the hope of helping people slow down a bit and experience some mindfulness.

" Bethan explained that she started her business in 2021. She said she previously completed a fine art degree in Cardiff and after lockdown decided to follow her dreams. She said bringing her business to Ffos had only been positive, with her highlight so far being special family days.

She said: "I had been working for a couple of different places and volunteering, but I really wanted to try this business. I did fine art in university and I taught some spoon carving as part of my degree - I loved spending time with people. I thought this is the moment to give it a go.

I had help through the new enterprise scheme [in 2021]. "Ffos is such a lovely community, it feels like all the shops support each other. Our family days have been my highlight.

It feels like we really care about the community on those days. We see so many families come in and it is heaving. People have had really positive experiences on those days, like watching a magician and balloon modelling.

It feels like a wholesome day celebrating togetherness." Bethan said she has customers from all over south Wales visiting her workshop but that she sees equally as many locals. She said she hopes the success of Ffos will encourage similar projects in other town centres.

She said: "My dad is from Aberdare so I have visited the valleys all my life, which is one of the main reasons I wanted to be part of it. It's so good to see the Welsh Government funding a town like this. My real hope is that this starts a chain of regenerating the valleys and is a catalyst.

It's why I'm really keen to invest and stay here to see that happen. I've had lovely conversations with people who are surprised to see Ffos here, but in a good way." Describing how Ffos has helped her business grow, she said: "I'm in conversation with Ffos about moving into one of the bigger units.

I've been doing well out of it so looking to expand to a double unit. This was the first time [my business] had an address and so it's really cool that I'm now able to expand. I feel supported.

" Tomas Williams grew up in Llanbradach and was working as a computer aided design technician when he decided to make a change and start his own business at Ffos Caerffili. The 27-year-old opened the Lockup Bottle Shop selling a variety of quality independent beers, wines, ciders and spirits, drawing on his experience supporting his family's cider business run by his dad and uncle. Tom spent several years getting to know other independent producers and vendors before seeing an opportunity in his local area.

“It kind of dawned on me that there was nothing anywhere near Caerphilly offering that sort of product,” Tom said. “So, I thought why not me? I’m a lot more independent and work longer hours now but there’s so much potential for growth.” Tom said he had been aware of the Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking masterplan for a while when he saw adverts for Ffos Caerffili.

“I thought how great would it be to be involved in that from the start?” he said. “Caerphilly grows and we grow with it, you know? It’s been really exciting this first year. I’m thankful for having met so many great customers.

I’m hopeful that the coming years will bring a lot more success and more good memories. Hopefully I’ll be here for another ten.” Ian Butterworth, 36, had been looking for the right place to start his coffee shop brand Two Shot Social with business partner and school friend Daf Carter for a few years when the opportunity arose to open up in two units at Ffos Caerffili.

Ian, who works as a quantity surveyor, said the business is thriving and employs ten people in Caerphilly, three of which are full-time. “It’s been brilliant to provide speciality coffee and quality food for the people of Caerphilly,” Ian said. “We definitely look forward to growing from here.

Our goal from the beginning was to establish our own chain and take it from there. It’s a brilliant vibrant community of traders at Ffos Caerffili and it’s going to be fantastic to celebrate this anniversary with everyone this month. We’re going to have a DJ on Saturday, April 5, and we’ll be holding our monthly run club in partnership with BRAV on the Sunday.

” Ffos Caerffili celebrated its first birthday with a Big Birthday Quiz on the evening of Friday, April 4 with live music with a silent disco on Saturday, April 5. Ffos Caerffili will also host vendors as part of Caerphilly Food Festival the following Saturday, April 12. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “It’s great to mark the first year anniversary of Ffos Caerffili by hearing from some of the independent traders about what the opportunity at the market has meant for them.

We’re so pleased to have provided a space for entrepreneurs to begin their journeys and a platform for others to grow.” The full list of businesses currently at Ffos Market: Lockup Bottle Shop The Pet Shop Karen L’s Creation Joy House Creations Diva Spa The Balloon Den The Community Gaming Club Welsh ICE (Pop up) Food Court: Bab Haus Mex Bao Selecta ACME Burger Estraneo Two Shot Social Two Shot Grab & Go Jake’s Ice Cream & Co The Bar.