Organic Wholefood and Homebrew is the first of our four videos’ to be released as part of the BID's 'Our Past, Our Future, Your Pontypridd' campaign. There is also a chance to win £200 worth of vouchers to spend in Your Pontypridd. Pete Lenaghan and his brother John set out to provide ethically-sourced local and international wholefoods, fresh organic produce and home-brew equipment to the local communities in Pontypridd. Here Manager Caspar Harris tells us more.

1. Hi Caspar, can you tell us about Organic Wholefood and Homebrew and how long the shop has been in Pontypridd?

The main aim of the shop was and still is to operate as an ethical business, buying mainly from a worker’s cooperative, promoting vegetarian, vegan and healthy foods and more recently sourcing more from small, local producers. The shop was originally started as a stall in the market by brothers Pete and John Lenaghan in 1979, so we are 38 years old. Since then, John went on pursue a different career and eventually Pete relocated the shop to Mill Street. I have been helping to manage it for the last few years.

Originally, they were sick of having to go to Cardiff to buy spices and herbs for cooking and thought it would be a good idea to start a stall selling, herbs, spices world foods and wholefoods which were hard to get in Ponty at that time. Later they also branched in to homebrew as a sideline but this is now a significant portion of sales.

2. In the video you talk of the range of products and produce do you sell, which countries and suppliers do you use to stock the shop?

Our main suppliers are Essential Trading- a worker’s co-op based in Bristol who supply vegetarian and vegan food sourced from all over the world. We also buy from global foods in Cardiff and have been with both of these suppliers since they first began trading. So our products come from all over the globe.

3. The video shows a delivery from Tuckers Bakery based in Pontypridd Market, how important are local suppliers to your business model?

Recently we have made more of an effort to use local suppliers. this is for a few reasons: It keeps money in the local economy rather than being sucked of in to some multinational corporation. Our carbon footprint is lower due to fewer travel miles. And it also means that we are selling something special and unique which is hard to get elsewhere.

4. Your passion for all things organic shines through can you tell me more about yourself, how did you come to manage the store, how long have you been in Pontypridd and what do you like and dislike about the town?

I moved to Ponty about 4 years ago after my wife got teaching position at USW. I started working part-time at the shop and Pete asked me if I wanted to be more involved since he was struggling to balance caring for his mother with shop duties. This has worked well for both of us. Me and Pete share the same vision for how the shop should operate.

I like the friendliness and strong community which exists in Ponty and the fact that we are surrounded by beautiful hills yet not too far from Cardiff. One thing that I dislike is that there can be resistance to new ideas and some people become entrenched in old fashioned ways of thinking which hold the town back.

5. Why did you agree to be part of the video project and what are you hoping it will achieve for the business?

I hoped it would help promote the shop and remind people that we are here and that there are things worth coming in to town for.

6. The video is aiming to change perceptions of Pontypridd and showcase the unique local retailers the town has, do you think the videos are the most effective way to do this?

I’m not sure what’s the most effective way to change perceptions but I think that videos used online can tell a story and give a sensory feel of the town, showing the sights, sounds and people.

7. The Your Pontypridd BID is entering its third year, how has this benefitted Organic Wholefoods and Homebrew?

It has helped us reach a wider audience via Facebook and Twitter. The Bid group has helped promote events which we have been involved with. They have organised this video, and they act as hub to put ideas to about the town centre in general.

8. What potential do you see for Organic Wholefood and Homebrew over the next five years with the ongoing redevelopment of Pontypridd town centre?

It will bring new people into the town so hopefully we can build on what we have already and reach a new pool of customers. We can always do special orders for people, so hopefully they will realise that if they are looking for an unusual ingredient, we are the shop to go to!

9. What other ways would you like to see the BID and Organic Wholefoods and Homebrew working together in the future?

I would like us to work together to improve the appearance of the town centre by introducing more greenery and flowers to counteract the current drab appearance. And to help promote any future events.

You can visit Organic Wholefoods and Homebrew at 8 Mill Street, Pontypridd. Visit their website at https://www.organicwholefoodhomebrew.com/

If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch Caspar's story HERE