Local Shop Expands Creating New Jobs

A local shopkeeper in Pontypool has expanded his business, creating two new jobs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mike Gulliford, owner of Glenview Stores in Trevethin, has extended the shop to make room for more fresh fruit, veg and frozen foods. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He took over ownership of the shop three years ago and also operates a newsagents and florist, employing 15 people across his businesses, all from the local area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He said: “We aim to keep costs as low as possible for local residents. Our prices are better than local supermarkets, and now we have more room for fresh and frozen foods it means that people who live locally won’t have to travel far for their shopping. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“There aren’t a lot of job opportunities out there for local people, particularly young people. By expanding the store we can afford to take on two new members of staff, giving two local people an opportunity to work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“All of the work on the extension has been done by local tradesmen, and this really has been a community effort.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Lewis Jones, executive member for regeneration at Torfaen council, said: “It is great to see another business expanding here in Trevethin. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Mike and his family also do a huge amount for the community. Not only do they employ a lot of local people, they sponsor the local football team and whenever we have bad snow Mike is out knocking doors making sure everyone is ok. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Trevethin has had some negative press recently but there are businesses expanding, the local garage has recently reopened, there is a new social and sports bar, and Trevethin shops are doing really well, so there is a lot for the local community to be positive about.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Local resident Betty Brown said: “I use the shop every day. Now that the shop is selling vegetables and more frozen foods I won’t have to get a bus to do my shopping. The staff are brilliant and if there is something you won’t that they don’t have they will get it in for you.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new extension was formally opened by the deputy leader of Pontypool Community Council, Janet Jones. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​