a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Traders at Cwmbran 'in shops' angry over short notice eviction
In May it was announced that traders operating in the 'in shops' would have to relocate.
Plans to transform the building into an 'indoor adventure park' left traders without much choice or say in the matter.
These traders shared their reactions to, what they say is, short notice news.
Sabina Bthaba who runs Cwmbran Beauty Lounge in the shop (Image: NQ) Sabina Bthaba, 30, runs Cwmbran Beauty Lounge.
She's been running her beauty salon inside the building for the past three years.
Before news of the in shops closure Sabina spent money upgrading her business to a bigger space within the building.
She told the Argus: 'It's really disappointing that they have done this to us.
"They knew that it's going to close soon but they let me spend money around £500 to £600 in a new shop.
'I started decorating and spending money and then they told us that it's going to close down now. They said they can't do anything it's just happened.'
Sabina Bthaba of Cwmbran Beauty Lounge with a customer (Image: NQ) Like other traders she was also promised help relocating however this isn't a reality anymore.
Sabina said: 'They said they would relocate me somewhere in the town and provide me with a space in the town but now it's not happening.'
Breakfast Café run by 40-year-old Sebastian Melo is a new business in the 'in shops.'
The café specialises in Persian and Afghan cuisine and had only been operating for a few weeks before news broke out of the buildings closure.
Sebastian Melo of Breakfast Café in the shop (Image: NQ) Speaking of the businesses short lived time Sebastian said: 'It's a new business we've been here one month, and it's growing very slowly and sadly we have to close this business.
'It cost more than £2000 to start up now we have no chance.
'You can imagine how hard it is to find a place and relocate all the items and kitchen stuff.'
Nicole Seward of The Hungry Fork (Image: Nicole Seward) Similarly to Sebastian 26-year-old Nicole Seaward invested £7,000 in opening her food business The Hungry Fork.
Sadly, just weeks after the business launched, she learnt of the in shops closure.
Speaking of the ordeal Nicole said: 'I'm quite angry to be fair only because they must have known this was happening before, we were given the contract.
'Three weeks after we opened, we had a three-month contract to move out they should have said is it worth opening here.'
'I've spent £7,000 and I'm not getting a penny back.'
The inside of the Hungry Fork (Image: Nicole Seaward) Nicole was also promised help relocating but this has fallen short.
'It's awful and they've promised us a space out the front in the town centre, but we've got to buy our own container or unit, so we've now got to go through a government grant to get something for us to go in and that's got to go through planning.
'All I can say is that we've been led down a complete garden path."
The building itself will shut on June 28.
Staff at M Cwmbran and LCP Properties both responsible for the 'in shops' have been contacted for further comment.
