Wales & West Utilities has enabled a community restaurant on the Ysgubor Goch Estate in Caernarfon to become one step closer to opening in the New Year after completing essential work.
Cegin Cofi, which has been helping youngsters on the disadvantaged council estate to cook up a storm for almost seven years, is in the midst of plans to transform an unused Post Office and now that the gas emergency and pipeline service has completed essential work, it is closer to opening at the end of January.
Wales & West Utilities Area Business Manager for North & Mid Wales, Steve Watts with Kenny Richards and the team at Cegin Cofi
The plans involve transforming the shell of a disused Post Office into a kitchen and restaurant facility, providing seats for 20 people inside, whilst outside seating will allow a further 12 people to enjoy the facilities.
As part of the work Wales & West Utilities has connected the community restaurant to the gas network so all young trainee chefs will be able to cook on gas and the restaurant can keep costs down compared to cooking on electric. The work has been carried out by Wales & West Utilities for free.
Spearheading the project is Kenny Richards, who has also recently been elected town councillor for the Peblig ward. He said:
“We are delighted that Wales & West Utilities has answered our call and has provided this essential work free of charge. As a social enterprise we are wholly reliant on gestures of goodwill and of grant funding donations.
“This work to the gas supply has given us a real boost and we are making good progress with the fit-out of the facility. We know that from speaking to people on the estate that there is a huge appetite for the restaurant – both from a visitor and a trainee point of view – and we are delighted that we’re one step closer to opening.”
Cegin Cofi is part of Cegin Noddfa, a not-for-profit social enterprise which seeks to benefit the most disadvantaged members of the local community. The project has been set up to provide affordable, healthy food to vulnerable people on low income whilst providing training for unemployed young people to provide them with the skills to access jobs locally.
Cegin Cofi is bringing the project to fruition by working with local businesses which are donating essential catering and building equipment.
Mark Oliver, Wales & West Utilities Director of Business Services said:
“We’re committed to supporting those who need it most – and this restaurant will not only allow people to get a quality, hot meal at a reasonable price it will also help develop local young people’s skills.
“We are delighted to have been able to help bring this important facility to life, and hope the community directly benefit from it. We have an operational base nearby and next time I’m in the area I’ll definitely be dropping in for a bite to eat!”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves Wales and the south west of England, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being upgraded to new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.