An independent Welsh cake shop and cafe in the heart of harbour village Solva has announced it will close in early 2023. MamGu Welshcakes began as an idea between two friends, Thea Noble and Becky Swift, whose love of Pembrokeshire and cake transcended into a fully fledged business in 2016 after being inspired by an Amsterdam pancake house.
First starting at Christmas markets in 2018, the pair took a leap and opened the coffee shop which, since its inception, has grown in popularity and serves up delicious, fluffy Welsh cakes with a twist in a myriad of flavours - white chocolate and cranberry, chocolate and orange, leek and Caerphilly cheese, to name a few.
Now, after being told they would "not be given the option to renew our lease" of the cafe premises, they have been forced to close the cafe doors. And with this news, comes another blow: Thea, the company's co-founder, is also stepping away from the business.
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Taking to social media to break the news to MamGu Welsh cakes' large and loyal following from all over the country, Thea wrote: "Thea here, I have some important news to share with you all...
"Earlier this year Becks and I were told that we would not be given the option to renew our lease at our cafe at 20 Main Street Solva. So it is with the heaviest of hearts we need to tell you that we will be closing the cafe early 2023. We want to give you plenty of notice, so you can enjoy a final Halloween, and Christmas celebration with us and our awesome staff in the beautiful village of Solva, a place we have called home for so long.
"To say that this has come as a shock to us would be an understatement, but it has given Becky and I a real opportunity to evaluate the direction we wish to take MamGu Welshcakes in the future."
Thea added: "So time for news drop number two... after 8 incredible years I have decided to step away from MamGu Welshcakes. As of the end of September I will no longer be co-owner of the business. Along the way I have created the most amazing memories, met so many wonderful people I can now call close friends, and also eaten a lot of Welsh cakes!!"
However, this news isn't all bad as you can still buy the Welsh cakes online and Thea reassured MamGu Welsh cake lovers everywhere "this certainly is not the end for MamGu! Becky has some very exciting and big plans on the horizon, which she can not wait to share with you all!"
She concluded the statement with: "I want to just take a moment to say a huge thank you to all the amazing staff I have worked with over the past 8 years and our loyal customers. I’m going to miss serving your caffeine fix but now I get to have one with you instead!! Big hugs, T."
Customers and fans of the pair's delicious business venture were quick to comment on this news.
Welsh pro badminton player Jordan Hart wrote: "I am so so so sad to hear this. Please open up elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", while another Instagram user said: " Noooo! Don’t think I’ll bother moving back to Solva now. You will be heavily missed! But thank you For what you have created. So much love. Excited to see your future ventures".
Sadly, MamGu Welshcakes is just one of many cafes and restaurants in Wales which, in the last few weeks, has announced the news that it will be closing due to variety of factors - one standout reason being the current cost of living crisis.
It follows that of Got No Beef, La Cuina, The Lazy Leek and Reaper in Cardiff, who have either closed already or are set to do so in the coming weeks.
If you're fans of the Welsh cake company, make sure you get a trip to Solva in soon for your MamGu fix before it closes in early 2023 - or just visit the website to order from its online shop.
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