LAST month the Barry & District News launched a campaign to support Barry’s high street businesses.

The ‘Your High Street: Use It Or Lose It’ campaign aims to raise awareness of independent businesses, putting a spotlight on the produce, services and people that bring the town to life.

This week we focus on one of the newest businesses in Barry – Earlyversity – a start-up company trading on High Street for just a few months.

The unique venture is led by a team of teachers and educational experts.

Directors Peter Thomas and Kay Rawlinson hope their High Street-based child enrichment and activity centre will be the first of many high street outlets established throughout the UK.

“High Street is unique in its uniqueness,” Mr Thomas said. “Just having signs on High Street and lights when it’s dark would help.

"High Street needs a brand – a buzz that attracts people so that when people come here they want to stay on the street.

"People say they didn’t know this place existed. We want people to take a rest for a couple of hours and experience what there is.”

Earlyversity hopes its different style will encourage shoppers to embrace the variety that all the independent businesses offer.

Mr Thomas said: “Earlyversity is a one-of-a-kind social haven for parents. It’s a one stop shop with a family coffee house, toy shop selling quality educational and play resources and early years classes throughout the week.”

Educational experts have spent several years researching and developing their own ‘Baby Brain Development’ curriculum - officially launching this month (October) - with classes for new parents.

They hope every visit offers access to teachers; a bright community of families to form lifelong friendships with, and overall peace of mind that the experiences enjoyed with them invaluably contributing to child brain development, growth, happiness and confidence.

Mr Thomas said: “Earlyversity is about recognising the critical stage in human life when connections are being made and everything that happens around and to a child is impacting on their development."

The team hope to assist parents with the knowledge that will help their child begin life with confidence, curiosity and creativity.

Mrs Rawlinson added: “We have really good coffee, beautiful lunches, delicious cakes and you don’t need to bring a child to use our coffee house.”

Earlyversity is on Facebook, and www.earlyversity.com