What do Barry businesses really need to help them thrive?

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the Vale, Kanishka Narayan, hosted a meeting at Tramshed Tech in the Goodsheds encouraging Barry businesses to come together to help enhance the town’s “business appeal”.

Barry and District were there and while we did get the opportunity to speak to Mr Kanishka, the coattails we really wanted to grab to try find out what it’s like in Barry for businesses, was local business owners invited to the event.

Their insight, from opening and closing shops everyday on Barry’s High Street, or Holton Road, or Park Crescent, told us what businesses really need to get them on their feet and keep them their.

Those necessities? Promote Barry as one, create a united voice for the business community and help spread the word about the support out there for businesses.

How can we keep the high street alive? (Image: Newsquest)

'When you get hold of a small premise you have no business rates'

The first person we rushed over to was Sparkles MD Ceri Jennings.

Ms Jennings cleaning and training company operate from Bristol to Swansea, but they are based in Barry. Why?

Ms Jennings explained: “One of the reasons I came to Barry is when you get hold of a small premise you have no business rates.” And Barry has those premise available – such as Goodsheds and Tramshed Tech.

'More can be done to promote Barry as a whole'

Next I caught co-owner of one of Barry’s most innovative pubs; Craft Republic. Claire Whalley said she wants to see Barry promoted as a whole.

“All the aspects of Barry are often represented in isolation,” said Ms Whalley, “Holton Road, High Street, Docks, Barry Island – it would be better to promote Barry as one.

“What would increase trade and help traders is reversing the narrative. Come to Barry for the weekend and go to Cardiff for the day.

“More can be done to promote what Barry and the Vale can offer as a whole.”

Craft Republic, one of the most innovative pubs in Barry (Image: Newsquest)

'One voice for Barry traders'

A couple who know more than most about the goings-on in Barry’s business community is owners of Awesome Wales and Eto on Holton Road Amy Greenfield and Stuart Burnell who said what would be a feather in traders’ caps is if the traders came together with one voice.

They explained: “A proper Board of Traders set up to create one voice would help.

“It would be better for traders to speak as a group rather than 30 separate traders all making separate complaints which makes it difficult for the council and other services to respond to.

“The local authority cannot come and speak to every single trader.”

The owners for Awesome Wales want to see Barry traders have a united voice (Image: Google Maps)

'More knowledge on business funding support'

Cat Morgan, community lead at Tramshed Tech which provides temporary, short and middle term office space for businesses, said what Barry businesses need is help accessing support they might not know they are eligible for.

Ms Morgan said: “My team need to be knowledgeable about access to funding for start-ups. Businesses are looking for knowledge like this and other funding support they could be eligible for because this information is not easily accessible.”

Read more on Barry businesses:

• Craft Republic up for craft ale award
• Barry's new tattoo parlour opened by Penarth couple

What can be done to support Barry businesses? (Image: Newsquest)

Vale Business Taskforce set up by Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Vale of Glamorgan, Kanishka Narayan

The “Vale Business Taskforce” is a team of Welsh business leaders working alongside Kanishka to make the Vale the best place in the UK for impactful business.

A new Vale business taskforce set up by Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the Vale, Kanishka Narayan (centre sitting) (Image: Supplied)

Each roundtable will feed into a final report setting out practical recommendations for how investment, innovation, and skills can create a brighter and more prosperous future for the Vale

On the task force, Mr Narayan said: “The Vale needs a fresh vision and strategy to bring back jobs for our community and revive high street decline.

“I’m excited to be working with the Vale’s leading businesses to boost business in our community and increase local prosperity.”

What does Barry need for its businesses community to thrive? What is the most important bit of support businesses need to keep their doors open? What do you think of the state of Barry’s shopping districts at the moment? Is there lots to do in Barry? Is it a place to visit for a weekend? Or even a week!?

Let us know, emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.

Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.