Café's closure decision done with 'heavy heart'

A POPULAR Swansea coffee shop which became a haven for vegans across the city has closed its doors for good.

- ROBERT DALLING

Matt Barker-Smith and Helen Wilson, pictured outside Ground Plant Based Coffee soon after it opened.

Ground Plant Based Coffee has carved out a great reputation in the city’s culinary scene for its array of vegan-friendly food and drink since officially opening its doors in June 2021.

But after four-and-a-half years in business its owner Helen Wilson took the tough decision, with “a heavy heart”, to close her business on Monday, December 22.

A closing down sale, selling off a large selection of cafe items, including crockery, tables, coffee equipment, takeaway items, cutlery, utensils, kitchen equipment and some dried food goods, took place on Friday at the Francis Street venue.

In a statement Ms Wilson said she had “put everything she could” into the business and “always believed that with enough work and perseverance they would eventually find our way through”.

But she added: “Unfortunately the current economic climate has made it impossible to continue. People are understandably spending less while the cost of ingredients, utilities, and operations has continued to rise. I've made many changes and adjustments, and even secured national press coverage, but it hasn’t been enough to keep us going.

“The stress has become too much for me and I need to prioritise my health and wellbeing. I want to thank my brilliant team - Tim, Elissa, Felicity, Deb, Ryan, and Oli - for their hard work and dedication. And thank you to Matt for believing in this project from the beginning.