Refugee‑run café brings taste of Ukraine to Swansea with new city centre venue

A café founded by Ukrainian refugees has opened a new venue in Swansea, backed by a £25,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales.

Ruta Kitchen, first launched in Neath in January 2025, was set up by founders Vladimir Pavliiciuc, Volodymyr Iliev and Ihor Tertyshnyi. Their aim was to support displaced Ukrainians, foster community integration, and bring together Welsh and Ukrainian food and culture.

The Orchard Street café in Neath quickly became popular with locals, serving everything from traditional Ukrainian borscht to full British breakfasts. Its success encouraged the team to expand further, opening a second site on Nelson Street in Swansea.

Community and culture

Founder Vladimir Pavliiciuc said the business was always about more than food:

“We wanted to create somewhere that would bring together Welsh and Ukrainian culture through food — but we also wanted to create job opportunities for Ukrainian families in the area. We’ve received a lot of support in Neath and earned a lot of experience in running the café, and we decided it was the right time for us to open another café in Swansea.”

He added that the Swansea site would not have been possible without the Development Bank’s support:

“We didn’t have the funds needed to take over and refurbish the venue on our own. The funding means we’ve now got a growing business that is creating jobs and benefitting local communities.”

Backing from the Development Bank

The £25,000 micro loan came via the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, a £500 million programme financed by the Welsh Government. The fund offers loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments between £25,000 and £10 million, with terms of up to 15 years.

Charlotte Price, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, praised the café’s impact:

“The work Ruta Kitchen has done in supporting Ukrainian families locally has been fantastic, and they’ve received a very warm welcome from the community in Neath. This investment has allowed them to take the next step on their journey as a business, combined with the excellent reputation they’ve already built up.”

Supporting Welsh businesses

Since its launch in 2017, the Development Bank of Wales has invested £959 million in small businesses and property developers. It now manages £2 billion in funds and supports more than 3,600 small business customers. In 2024/25 alone, debt and equity funding totalling £152 million helped 502 businesses to create and safeguard 6,185 jobs across Wales.

Local impact

The new Swansea café is expected to create jobs and provide a welcoming space for both locals and Ukrainian families. By blending cultures through food, Ruta Kitchen is building bridges while contributing to the regional economy.

#business #cafe #developmentBankOfWales #foodDrink #microLoan #neath #nelsonStreet #orchardStreet #refugees #rutaKitchen #swansea #ukraine #ukrainianCafe #walesFlexibleInvestmentFund

Mumbles arts and crafts business moves to bigger premises thanks to micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales

Craftsea hosts paint-your-own pottery sessions for individuals and groups, allowing customers of all ages to paint from a selection of ceramics – including plates, cups, coasters and mugs – which are then glazed and fired on-site. It has now moved to a larger, neighbouring property on the Mumbles Road, nearly doubling the space it occupies and allowing it to bring in more pottery painters.

Craftsea was set up by Louise James in 2017. She began by hosting pottery painting parties and classes at customers’ homes or community venues, and firing the painted products in a kiln in her own garage.

A year later, Louise moved Craftsea to a shop space on the Mumbles Road where she was able to host her own events and regular painting sessions, which also provided her with room for a dedicated in-house kiln. But in the last two years demand for painting and large group sessions has risen, and Louise started looking for a larger home for the business.

As well as providing Craftsea with more space for painting parties and classes, the new venue also has a bar space for teas, coffee and alcoholic drinks.

Speaking on the expansion Louise said:

“We’ve grown really quickly, and it became obvious that we needed to go somewhere else, with more capacity and more room. The new venue is much more spacious, with room for a kitchen and a dedicated retail space, along with a bar.

“The support from the Development Bank means that we’re now ready for the next phase of our growth with more space to meet the demand we’ve built up in the last few years.”

Charlotte Price, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said:

“Louise has built a popular creative business with Craftsea, in an area with strong demand from parents of young children looking for group activities, and those looking for an alternative to the usual night out. We’re pleased that our funding is helping Louise to grow the business and expand her offering for the local community and tourists alike.”

Financed by Welsh Government, the Wales Flexible Investment Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years.

For more information, visit the Development Bank of Wales website.

#Craftsea #DevelopmentBankOfWales #Mumbles

New family deli brings organic produce to Neath town centre with Development Bank backing

Neath Deli, run by husband‑and‑wife team Chris and Rosana Cundill, opened its doors in July as part of the wider redevelopment of the town centre led by Neath Port Talbot Council. The business has been supported with a £150,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales through the Wales Flexible Investment Fund.

The deli stocks a wide range of produce including meat, poultry, charcuterie, dairy, vegetables, preserves and drinks. Alongside artisan food from Welsh producers, the Cundills also prepare their own products in‑house, with a butchery, kitchens and a mezzanine café serving freshly‑made sandwiches and soups.

Neath Deli follows the success of Rosa’s Bakery, the artisan bakery on nearby Shufflebotham Lane run by the couple’s 20‑year‑old daughter Rosa. That business, which opened in 2022, was also supported by the Development Bank.

Chris Cundill said the new deli was a response to local demand:

“Ever since the closure of the former Marks and Spencer last year, shoppers in Neath have been looking for somewhere which sells fine food and fresh produce. We wanted to do everything we could to meet that demand. The investment we’ve had from the Development Bank of Wales helped us to fit out the deli and open by the summer. Customers are delighted and many have commented that the deli is exactly what Neath town needed.”

Donna Williams, Senior Portfolio Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said the Cundills had built on their earlier success:

“Chris and Rosa’s plans for Neath Deli have brought a popular business to Neath town centre, building on the success of what they’ve already achieved with Rosa’s Bakery, with the same ethos and approach to organic food. We’re very pleased to have supported Neath Deli with our investment, and look forward to seeing both the Deli and Rosa’s continue to grow.”

The Wales Flexible Investment Fund, financed by Welsh Government, provides loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments of between £25,000 and £10 million for Welsh businesses, with terms of up to 15 years.

#Business #DevelopmentBankOfWales #funding #investment #Neath #NeathTownCentre #retail #WalesFlexibleInvestmentFund

Sauna start-up steams ahead in Porthcawl with Business Wales support

A Welsh-born entrepreneur has turned a personal journey of recovery into a thriving wellness business, bringing the restorative power of Scandinavian-style saunas to the shores of Porthcawl and Rest Bay.

William Jenkins, raised in the Netherlands and formerly working in the fintech sector, launched Hikitalo Sauna in late 2024 after discovering the mental and physical benefits of heat therapy. The business now operates two handcrafted, wood-fired sauna cabins on the Welsh coast and was recently named ‘Best Waterside Sauna 2025’ by the British Sauna Society.

“This isn’t just about creating a place to relax,” said Jenkins. “It’s about building community and offering people a space where they can come together, disconnect from the stress of daily life, and focus on their well-being.”

From burnout to business

Jenkins’ journey began after a period of burnout, which led him to explore sauna cultures across Europe and Latin America. Inspired by the communal and healing aspects of sauna life, he returned to Wales with a vision to create a “third space” for connection and recovery.

With guidance from Business Wales adviser Victoria Owens, Jenkins secured a loan from the Development Bank of Wales to build a sustainable sauna facility powered by solar lighting and locally sourced firewood. Business Wales also provided training, webinars, and support to help him adopt Green Growth and Equality pledges, aligning the business with environmental best practices.

“William’s passion shone through from the first time we spoke,” said Owens. “He’s built something truly unique that’s helping people live healthier, more connected lives.”

A growing community

Hikitalo now offers both private and communal sauna sessions, with panoramic sea views and cold plunge options that promote relaxation, detoxification, and social connection. The business employs seven people and has become a hub for cold water dippers, surfers, and wellness seekers.

Monthly events include open talking spaces to support mental health, and regulars have formed WhatsApp groups to meet for walks, dips, and coffee outside of sauna sessions.

Jenkins, who previously appeared on Dragon’s Den with an earlier venture, says the success of Hikitalo is rooted in its ability to foster genuine human connection.

“In countries like Finland and Germany, the sauna is a true ‘third space’—not home, not work, but somewhere in between. I think we’re bringing that culture back to Wales.”

With continued support from Business Wales, Jenkins plans to expand Hikitalo further across the Welsh coast, making Nordic wellness traditions more accessible to communities across the region.

#Business #BusinessWales #DevelopmentBankOfWales #DragonSDen #Hikitalo #leisure #Porthcawl #RestBay #Sauna

Tourism fund supports farmhouse owners with plans for themed barns offering accommodation in Gower

Pitton Cross Farm is set on 12 acres with sea views, sits just two miles from Rhossili Beach, and within walking distance to Mewslade Bay and the Wales Coastal Path.

Owners Sam Birdsell, Jason Manley and Rhydian Manley bought the farm from its former owners in the October of 2021, and have since renovated the on-site farmhouse with modern décor and facilities, providing an attractive dog-friendly place to stay for visitors to Gower.

They also offer shorter bookings, with flexibility for guests looking at short stays and a choice of accommodation for smaller or larger groups.

After revamping the farmhouse, the trio transformed an existing barn into a new dog-friendly and family-friendly themed Beagle Barn, paying tribute to their shared love of beagles – with dogs Remy, Ramsay, Shelby and Mr Finley forming the canine contingent of the Pitton Cross Farm team – and providing a place to stay for fellow pet-owners visiting the area.

Thanks to the loan from the Wales Tourism Investment Fund, work is now underway on the development of five more barns by refurbishing existing outbuildings, along with adding a dog wash, wetsuit wash and countryside seating areas.

With distinct and colourful themes, all will be tied into the history of the farm and the former Button-family owners. Named Nanna’s Bakehouse, Bampi Button’s Stables, Old Saddleback Barn, and the dairy-themed Milkshake Barn, the development also had the support of a £10,000 grant from Swansea Council’s Tourism Support Fund.

Sam said: “This investment has helped us take huge steps forward with our business growth plans, at a pace far faster than what we could have done had we funded it ourselves and done it in stages. Had we gone down that route, guests would have been arriving at a constant building site over the next few years. Luckily, the Development Bank was in a position to help us.

“We’ve always wanted to offer something novel and something different, and we want our brand to be tied in to the heritage of the area, including the history of tenant farmers on Gower, and our status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an International Dark Sky Community . This investment lets us develop our site in the confidence we’ll get to where we need to be by the end of the year, and we’re really grateful for all of the support provided by the Development Bank of Wales.”

David Knight, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Pitton Cross Farm have gone from strength to strength in the last few years, and the offering they provide to visitors to this part of Wales is amazing, combining character, convenience and flexibility in a beautiful setting.

“The Wales Tourism Investment Fund is here to support businesses like Pitton Cross Farm as they look to expand and continue on their growth journey.”

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, said: “With our help tourism businesses in Swansea generated a record £658m for the local economy last year, supporting more than 5,400 jobs.

“Our Tourism Support Fund was enabled through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and helped us to continue this success story. This collaboration with the Development Bank of Wales and Pitton Cross Farm is a much-valued opportunity to make the most of what the wonderful Gower National Landscape has to offer.”

The Wales Tourism Investment Fund provides loans between £100,000 and £5 million for tourism businesses in Wales, with repayment terms of between 10 to 15 years.

#DevelopmentBankOfWales #Gower #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #tourism #touristAccommodation #UKSharedProsperityFund

As a semi-finalist in both BBC’s Masterchef and the Welsh Chef of the Year competitions, Christos began working as a private chef in 2017 having previously been Head Chef at various local restaurants and hotels.

Offering dinner parties, pop-up supper clubs and traditional Greek street food, he has now also fulfilled a life-long dream of opening a deli, café and bakery.

The fit-out of ‘The Gower Deli’ has been part-funded by the Development Bank along with the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment.

A range of locally sourced products including high-quality cured meats, artisan cheese, speciality breads, olives and a selection of wines, speciality beers and artisan coffee are already proving popular with locals and tourists alike as are weekly pop-up Greek street food evenings on a Thursday and the Welsh breakfast with a twist.

Christos has been cooking up a storm this weekend where he has available freshly cooked meals ready for a grab-and-go dinner.

Whether it is fresh baked pastries, foccaccia sandwiches, delicious quiches, new or greek desserts and much more, Christos has it all waiting for customers to taste.

He also has a variety of Tuckers Butchers meats, amazing artisan cheeses, Little Valley Bakery bread, Trealy Farm Charcuterie meats, Gower Preserves jams, chutneys & conserves as some of our selection of deli products!

Wine tasting is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings offering wine and beer flights along with cheese and cured meats.

Speaking on the opening of the new venture Christos said:

“I love food and I love this beautiful corner of Wales so the opportunity to open my own deli, café and bakery in Southgate is a dream come true.

“However, starting a hospitality business from scratch can be expensive so we needed funding to make it happen. The support from the Development Bank has made all the difference as I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Emily Hunter is an Investment Executive with the Development Bank, she said:

“Christos is a renowned chef with an abundance of passion and drive.  A true master of his craft, he thrives under pressure and delivers some really great food while also having strong entrepreneurial skills.  

“We’re delighted to be supporting him as he grows his business in Southgate.”

The loan for Gower Deli came from the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund.

Financed by Welsh Government, the Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years.

Good luck Christos, the food looks delicious!

[Lead image: The Gower Deli]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/10/19/former-masterchef-contestant-opens-new-gower-deli/

#DevelopmentBankOfWales #featured #GowerDeli #Mumbles #Southgate #WalrsFlexibleInvestmentFund