Another branch of a popular dog-friendly café is set to open in Cardiff. Permission has been granted to transform a former betting shop in Rhiwbina into a new coffee shop after plans were submitted to Cardiff council on behalf of Coffi Lab earlier this year.
Coffi Lab has already opened branches in Llandaff and Whitchurch within the last year and will now open a third site in a former vacant betting shop on Heol-y-Deri. The new coffee shop will have seating across the ground floor and an outside area.
The café is set to open between 7.30am and 5.30pm on Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 5pm on Sundays. The dog-friendly cafe is the brainchild of James Shapland, from Cardiff, who also founded Coffee #1. Coffi Lab already has sites in Abergavenny, Monmouth, and Marlborough. READ MORE: Team behind one of Cardiff's most popular bars to open new lounge venue
The coffee shop opened its first Cardiff branch in November on Llandaff High Street with a second branch in Whitchurch opening earlier this year. In an Instagram post shared from Coffi Lab's account last month, they said: "We are thrilled to be opening our 6th Coffi Lab and 3rd Cardiff Coffi Lab in the heart of the charming and leafy Rhiwbina Village. Transforming 10 Heol-y-Deri into a beautiful gathering place for the community to enjoy a coffee and the simple things."
The business was inspired by James's two Fox-Red Labradors, Brynmor and Dylan and he runs the business alongside his partner Hannah Gillard who works as Managing Director. The coffee shop will sell a range of different coffees, teas, smoothies, pastries, and sandwiches, with Coffi Lab branded dog biscuits also on offer.
The coffee shop has also chosen to become corporate partners with Guide Dogs UK and says on its website that it will do "all it can to support this wonderful cause," including 'puppy partnerships,' fundraising challenger days and supporting local volunteers.
Coffi Lab sponsors guide dogs in memory of family and friends through a partnership with Guide Dogs UK. Its first sponsored Guide Dog for their Monmouth store is Tony, a Labrador cross Golden Retriever pup born in September and named in memory of James’ father Tony Shapland.
The business has also recently introduced its fourth Coffi Lab Guide Dog UK puppy, Bernard, who was named in memory of Hannah's grandad. Its website says that "Coffi Lab is planning so many wonderful coffee locations," and James previously told WalesOnline that one is set to open in Llanishen. You can read the full interview here.
