Caerphilly Cheese is back for first time in 30 years

The owners of Cwmni Caws Caerffili, Huw Rowlands and Deian Thomas, are bringing back the production of Caerphilly Cheese to Caerphilly Town Centre.

Huw and Deian have worked hard over the last 3 years sourcing local ingredients, perfecting their recipes and processes to get to a stage where they can start producing and selling Caerphilly Cheese.

They are keen to start supplying local businesses with their authentic product and want to ensure all cheese has the history of Caerphilly running through it.

Caerphilly Cheese hasn’t been produced in Caerphilly for over 30 years. This business will most definitely increase local people’s sense of place, as well as aid engagement in the local culture as Caerphilly Cheese is an important part of the borough’s history and heritage.

The owners secured a vacant premises in Caerphilly town centre for production. The premises needed a lot of work to bring it into use, as well as equipment to start production. Huw and Deian contacted Sally Harvey and Lauren James, Investment Support Officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Business Enterprise Renewal Team, to enquire as to if there was any grant support to assist with the setup of their business.

Cwmni Caws Caerffili were awarded £16,502.50 in grant support from the Caerphilly Enterprise Fund Business Development Grant (CEFBDG) to help with essential works that were needed at their premises and equipment that was needed to start up their production.

The business was then awarded a further £3959.87 through the Start-Up Grant to help with IT equipment, advertising costs and signage.

In total, Cwmni Caws Caerffili received £20,462.37 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This funding was dedicated towards Cwmni Caws Caerffili through Caerphilly County Borough Council’s intervention of UKSPF funds.

The local business has also recently won a £1000 package of tailored business support from Menter a Busnes, a not-for-profit company that supports businesses in Wales. Rowlands wowed the judges of Menter a Busnes’s Cywain competition with the innovative idea of bringing the production of the world-famous cheese back to Caerphilly County Borough.

Deian Thomas and Huw Rowlands owners of Cwmni Caws Caerffili said “We are grateful for all the support Caerphilly Council has given us and would not have been able to get to this point without it. Sally and Lauren have been a great support in moving our business forward.”

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Regeneration & Climate Change, added “It was great to meet with Deian to discuss plans for the future. We’re delighted to support Cwmni Caws Caerffili with grant funding of £20,462.37 to help them realise their dream of bringing cheese making back to Caerphilly. Cwmni Caws Caerffili are a fantastic addition to the town and we look forward to working together”.