A businesswoman has opened her first bakery store in Caerphilly’s container market.
Bethan Greenslade set up her Welsh cake specialist bakery Cwtch Bakes in early July. Bethan joins the growing list of businesswomen at Ffos Caerffili including Bethan Davies’ craft business JoyHouse Creations, Rebecca Goad’s focaccia sandwich brand Bonnie’s, and Karen Lam’s handmade jewellery business Karen L’s Creation.
Bethan has nearly 10 years of experience working in the hospitality sector, working as a waitress and as a barista for a variety of chain and independent businesses. But her passion since early childhood has always been baking.
She was inspired to set up her business in Caerphilly after Bethan and her boyfriend visited Ffos Caerffili last summer. Bethan said the warm and welcoming environment of the area really stood out to them.
“My boyfriend turned to me and said that I should be here, and I just thought what are you waiting for?” she said.
Bethan’s distaste for currents and dry fruit encouraged her to explore alternative flavours when baking Wales’ classic treat. She has now perfected more than 10 varieties of the traditional Welsh cakes.
“Visitors really love the chocolate orange,” Bethan said. “Obviously, the traditional Welsh cake is a top seller too, but visitors have really embraced the variety on offer.”
Growing up in Cardiff, Bethan was taught to bake by her mother and grandmother and then went on to study bakery at Cardiff and Vale College. Then after gaining experience in the hospitality sector, she went on to study a business degree at the University of South Wales in 2019.
“I went through multiple names, but I wanted something warm, comforting and Welsh. I said Cwtch Bakes for the first time one day and didn’t look back.”
“My family and boyfriend really encouraged me to go for it and played a massive part in me coming to Ffos,” Bethan said.
“I’m really loving life here, and I’ve already been approached for a wedding favour in my first week.”
Cwtch Bakes is located at Unit 10 in Ffos Caerffili and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
