AN EXCITING new addition has arrived on Cardigan High Street, as the former Barclays Bank building transforms into a haven for antique and vintage enthusiasts.

Cardigan Curiosities, a newly opened shop, is the creation of Otto Jones and Faith Millward, a young local couple with a passion for breathing new life into old treasures. Describing their shop as a “curated miscellany of treasures from the UK and beyond,” they aim to offer more than just a shopping experience.

“We love celebrating the history behind every item,” they said. “Each piece connects people to stories from its past owners while sparking new memories with its future ones.”

Every item tells a story

The shop’s eclectic inventory includes rare finds with captivating histories. Highlights include a South African rosewood hand-carved shaving mirror once owned by a village doctor and a Portmeirion Totem tea set that reminds one customer of her father’s time in the US Marines.

“These are more than objects—they’re a bridge to the past,” Otto and Faith explained.

Sustainability meets style

Sustainability is at the heart of their business ethos. Otto and Faith are champions of reviving quality items from yesteryear, ensuring they find a place in modern homes.

“Antique and vintage items are timeless—not just in style but in durability,” they said. “These are pieces made to last, often crafted by hand and with care that’s hard to find today.”

The shop also taps into nostalgia, offering items that bring back memories of familiar childhood comforts.

Affordable elegance

Determined to make antiques and vintage items accessible, Cardigan Curiosities offers a range of prices to suit all budgets.

“We want everyone to leave with something unique, even if they only have £10 to spend,” they said.

Unearthing a remarkable connection

Their journey to find the perfect premises took almost a year, but the discovery of their shop’s historical significance made the wait worthwhile. Among their inventory, they found a slate clock crafted by Thomas and Sons of Cardigan—created in the very building where their shop now stands.

Local historian Glen Thomas revealed the former Barclays Bank was once home to Thomas and Sons, jewellers and watchmakers.

“Without realising it, the clock had come full circle—back to the very place it was made,” Otto and Faith said.

The clock has since been acquired by Cardigan Castle, where it will be displayed as part of the castle’s historical collection.

Visit Cardigan curiosities

Located at 32A High Street, Cardigan, the shop is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm throughout November and December.

With its mix of history, sustainability, and charm, Cardigan Curiosities offers an experience that is both meaningful and memorable, contributing to the vibrant mix of independent businesses that make Cardigan High Street a unique destination.

ENTREPRENEURS have been bullied and forced to hand over control of their businesses after approaching the Development Bank of Wales for financial support, the Senedd heard.

Paul Davies, who chairs the economy committee, raised “extremely worrying” evidence from Dylan Jones-Evans, an economist and academic, about the Development Bank.

Mr Davies said the committee also received emails from people who had dealings with the bank and felt they had been bullied out or had their businesses essentially stolen.

Prof Jones-Evans told the committee: “Unfortunately, I have been approached by … businesses prior to this review who feel they have not been treated fairly with valuations being too low, where decisions have taken far too long, and where terms are unacceptable.

“Worst still, there have been instances where some have been bullied by the directors imposed on them, where they have been forced out by dubious means and where founders feel they have not been supported by the bank.”

Prof Jones-Evans warned that young, inexperienced founders found themselves in this position and should have received far greater support.

Mr Davies said: “If these reports are accurate, those actions may well have extinguished that entrepreneurial spirit, which would be an absolute tragedy and exactly the opposite of what the bank was established to do.”

The former Tory group leader added that much of the testimony was supplied anonymously, which limited the committee’s ability to scrutinise the evidence.

But he cautioned: “It only takes a brief look on a news website to find situations where allegations such as bullying have been made against other public institutions where, in some cases, they have been ignored and, as we know, sometimes these cases do not end well.”

Mr Davies stressed: “I just want to be clear: I have discussed these accusations with the bank via correspondence and in a private meeting and they absolutely refute them.”

Leading a debate on November 27, he said most of the evidence received by the committee, which made 13 recommendations, was supportive of the bank and its operations.

Mr Davies also raised concerns about the Development Bank being reclassified by the Office for National Statistics as central government in 2021.

He explained this leads to “double counting”, with the Welsh Government having to keep money in reserve to cover any uninvested funds given to the bank.

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher said the transition from Finance Wales to the Development Bank marked a step change in 2017, with investment doubling to £124m by 2022/23.

Mr Fletcher advocated merging the bank with Business Wales to create a one-stop shop.

Labour’s Hefin David pointed out the bank is not covered by Wales’ Future Generations Act, raising suggestions a social value clause could be inserted into grant and loan agreements.

Samuel Kurtz, the Conservatives’ shadow economy secretary, raised warnings from the Federation of Small Businesses of “massively fragmented” business support.

He expressed concerns about troubling evidence from Prof Jones-Evans that the Development Bank did nothing to stop imposed directors bullying out founders.

The economy committee scrutinised bank executives on November 20, questioning a 3.2% cost-of-living pay rise awarded to all staff including those earning six-figure salaries.

Dr David pointed out that annual remuneration for the highest-paid director increased by 20% from £217,000 to £260,000 between 2023 and 2024.

Giles Thorley, chief executive of the bank, which wrote off £27m in 2022/23, said 3.2% was lower than the Welsh Government’s rise, attributing the 20% to performance-related pay.

Rebecca Evans, Wales’ economy secretary, said the Development Bank has invested £778m in more than 3,900 businesses since 2017, supporting 41,700 jobs.

She said: “That’s a total impact of £1.66bn on the Welsh economy – real investment, real businesses, real growth, supporting businesses in every part of Wales.”

Turning to concerns received by the committee, Ms Evans said: “Finance can be complex and I am aware there are times when customers don’t understand the role of the bank or the obligations of the bank and this can, regrettably, lead to misunderstandings and complaints.”

She added: “I’ve had the opportunity to address concerns with officials. It is the case, though, that founder members of companies are sometimes removed by their boards.”

Ms Evans told the Senedd she has confidence in the leadership of the bank and its board, with an external review set to take place next year.

CONSERVATIVE Senedd Members warned “ill thought out and unnecessary” plans for a tourism tax will make people think twice about holidaying in Wales.

Peter Fox raised concerns about visitors being priced out after the Welsh Government unveiled a tourism bill, which would give councils powers to charge for overnight stays.

Mr Fox told the Senedd “This is an industry that should be supported, not exploited,” with one in seven jobs in Wales relying on tourism, equating to almost 200,000 people.

The Tories’ shadow finance secretary warned the tax could cost hundreds of jobs, with the hospitality sector already paying double the business rates of counterparts in England.

He said the tourism industry is still rebuilding from the pandemic, warning: “The legislation will create another significant pressure on an incredibly hard-pressed sector.”

Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, raised concerns about the “hidden” costs of bureaucracy under the bill, which would also introduce a register of tourism providers.

He rejected the depiction of £1.25 per person per night as minimal, saying a family with four children would have to budget an extra £50 to £60 for a week’s stay.

His Conservative colleague Darren Millar said he was angry on behalf of businesses when the tourism tax, which would raise up to £33m a year from 2027, was first mooted in 2017.

Warning tourists will go to the north-west coast of England, he said: “We know that visitors who come to places like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno – many of them are price-sensitive.”

The Clwyd West Senedd Member blamed the Welsh Government’s “anti-tourism” messaging for a fall in last year’s visitor numbers which were down 14% on 2019.

But Luke Fletcher welcomed the tourism bill, which was a commitment in the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government.

He said: “If you had listened to what some have said … you’d swear that in order to visit Wales you’d have to remortgage your house because it would be so expensive. That simply isn’t the case, is it?”

Mr Fletcher, who represents South Wales West, described £1.25 a night as reasonable, pointing to a lower rate of 75p for stays at hostels and camp sites.

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, said visitor levies are common across Europe, with more than 60 places around the world having similar taxes.

He asked: “Why would a visitor levy affect Wales when it does not affect Spain, Greece or France – the three most visited destinations in Europe?”

In a statement on November 26, Mark Drakeford stressed the levy is rooted in fairness, with tourists being asked to make a “small” contribution to public services.

He said: “Many Senedd Members here today will have paid a levy abroad, probably without noticing perhaps. Governments worldwide recognise that visitor levies are an effective means to offset some of the costs associated with tourism.”

Pointing to charges in Manchester and similar legislation passed in Scotland this year, the former First Minister said: “Our proposals in Wales are rowing with the tide, not against it.”

Prof Drakeford, who was appointed finance secretary in September, criticised opposition attempts to “catastrophise what is a modest measure”.

Closing his statement, he told the Senedd: “This is a step closer towards a fairer, more sustainable Wales where the benefits and responsibilities of tourism are shared by all.”