TWO of the café’s in Barry’s High Street are championing small independent businesses as they urge people to explore coffee culture in the town.

Cwtch and Café No. 5, in High Street, are giving their support to the Barry & District News’ Your High Street: Use It Or Lose It campaign in the hope that people will take a break from the big coffee chains and check-out the personal service and experience they provide in-store.

Your High Street: Use It Or Lose It aims to raise awareness of the independent high street businesses who are suffering from falling customer numbers – High Street, Holton Road, Park Crescent, Main Street and Vere Street.

Wendy Wilson, bought Cwtch in April 2013, but the café has been in existence for 38 years.

Mrs Wilson said: “I get all sorts of people in – family, people just looking for that cup coffee. I support local shops as we all family orientated. If people don't use us we will become non-existent."

To boost trade, the café has recently been re-furbished and all are welcome to use its toilet with without needing to buy.

Mrs Wilson said: “We offer an intimate, calming environment where you can take a break from the world and chat with your friends, family, staff and any of the regulars who fancy a conversation.

“It's nice when people come in and they are complimentary about the coffee, food and just us.”

Cafe No 5 is run by Vale Plus and offers service users with learning difficulties the chance to gain invaluable real-life work experience.

Customers can also purchase up to 18 varieties of home-grown seasonal fruit and veg grown in the charity's garden.

ValePlus director, Steve Thomas said: “We don’t have food miles. We have food yards with produce from up the road.

"Customers can expect a professional service, with a smile, at competitive prices. We don’t want to lose businesses and the best way to stop that is to provide an intimate service in the local community.”

Your High Street: Use It Or Lose It is an ongoing campaign.