- December 4, 2020
- Posted by: Mick Antoniw AM
- Category: Featured, Latest News
Mick Antoniw, Member of the Senedd for Pontypridd, has welcomed the re-opening of the village shop in Efail Isaf and pledged his support to help secure the return of a post office for the community.
The shop re-opened on November 27 to the delight of people in the village who had missed having a local source of food and essentials. In 2019 residents tried to save the shop, then under a previous owner, with their pledge to buy ‘five a week’. The campaign caught on but it wasn’t enough – until new owners stepped in during the pandemic.
Visiting the shop to meet new owners, Siva Krish and Raji Marappan, Mick Antoniw MS said:
“I welcome the return of the Efail Isaf Village Shop and I know so many people in the village do too – it has been sorely missed.
“This Saturday is Small Business Saturday and I think we have all seen during the Covid crisis the importance of small local businesses and what a valuable role they play in our communities – not only providing food and essential services but also in helping to combat loneliness and isolation.
“Not everyone has access to a car or is confident with online shopping, particularly older people, so if they can walk to their local shop it really helps them retain their independence.
“I think the icing on the cake would be the return of the post office – which would include some useful banking functions too – so I will do everything I can to support the new owners in applying for a licence.
“Local people have told me they’ve missed having the shop at the hub of the community so I hope lots of them will support it once again. It’s great that the opening hours will suit those who work later hours too,” he added.
New owner, Siva Krish said:
“I’d like to thank The community in Efail Isaf, which has been extremely welcoming my family and I.
“We’re looking forward to making our shop a real asset to the village by supplying the everyday essentials we all need with a very friendly service!”