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Pembrokeshire couple open houseplant café in converted greenhouse

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A FORMER Pembrokeshire dairy farmer and his wife have opened a new houseplant centre and botanical-themed coffee shop in Pembroke, supported by a £20,000 Start Up Loan.

Husband-and-wife duo Kristian (35) and Beckie Howell (31), both from Pembrokeshire, are behind Vine & Vibe, a new 6,000 sq ft indoor houseplant centre and café designed to bring an inclusive, wellbeing-focused space to the region’s retail and hospitality offering.

Housed in a converted commercial greenhouse, the venture is the result of both a personal and entrepreneurial journey. In 2017, Kristian sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury that ended his career in dairy farming and left him reliant on a wheelchair. The couple’s shared interest in gardening, sustainability, and mental wellbeing became the catalyst for launching their own business.

“After Kris’s accident, we had to completely rethink our future,” said Beckie. “Caring for houseplants gave me purpose, and for Kris, growing vegetables helped him reconnect with the land. Vine & Vibe grew from that shared passion, and now we’re turning it into something that can benefit others too.”

Vine & Vibe has been designed with accessibility in mind, including step-free access, wide walkways and low café tables. To help visitors plan their trip, the couple are launching a dedicated accessibility section on their website, complete with images and videos, so customers can decide for themselves if the space will work for their needs.

Renovating the disused greenhouse with reclaimed materials, the couple have undertaken much of the build themselves. The Start Up Loan funding has enabled them to kit out the café, invest in accessible furniture, stock their first plant collections, and bring in specialist trades where needed.

“We’ve worked hard to source ethically and locally wherever possible,” said Kristian. “Our coffee comes from Capital Roasters, just 1.5 miles away, and we’re working with them to develop our own flavour profile. The café will also serve seasonal drinks like yuzu lavender and strawberry basil iced lattes to make the experience unique.”

“The Start Up Loan gave us the platform to take our vision from idea to reality,” he added. “It’s been transformational.”

“Being on a low income and reliant on disability benefits meant that traditional lenders simply weren’t an option for us,” said Beckie. “We knew we had a strong idea and the determination to make it work, but we needed someone to take a chance on us. The Start Up Loan gave us that opportunity – not just with the funding, but providing the support and advice to help us understand cash flow and business planning too. Without it, Vine & Vibe wouldn’t be happening.”

Vine & Vibe stock a wide range of houseplants and botanical-themed homewares, and the coffee shop offers sweet treats and specialist drinks served in a lush, indoor tropical setting. Longer term, Beckie and Kris hope the business will become a go-to local hub for plant lovers and coffee drinkers alike – and an example of how thoughtful design can make spaces more welcoming to more people.

“Vine & Vibe is a great example of the power of entrepreneurial thinking in rural Wales,” said Jessica Phillips-Harris, Senior Manager for Wales at the British Business Bank. “Beckie and Kris are building something that’s sustainable, community-focused and rooted in their local area, and we’re proud to have supported them.”

Start Up Loans is a subsidiary of the UK’s economic development bank, British Business Bank. The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a 6% fixed interest rate per annum and offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business.

 

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Discover why patients are choosing Unique Smile Turkey

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Modern treatment, competitive prices and a full support package are drawing growing numbers of UK patients to Antalya

FOR many people, the cost of private dental treatment in the UK can be difficult to manage. From implants and crowns to veneers and full smile makeovers, the price of restoring confidence in your smile can often feel out of reach.

That is why more patients are turning their attention to clinics abroad, and Unique Smile Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular choice.

Based in Antalya, one of Turkey’s best-known coastal destinations, Unique Smile Turkey offers a wide range of treatments for international patients, including dental implants, crowns, veneers, smile makeovers and full-mouth restorations. The clinic has built its reputation around combining modern dentistry with a welcoming, well-organised experience for visitors travelling from the UK.

One of the biggest attractions is value. Patients can often receive the treatment they need at a far lower cost than they might expect to pay privately at home, without compromising on the standard of care or the quality of the overall experience.

Unique Smile Turkey also aims to make the process as straightforward as possible. From the first consultation through to treatment planning and arrival in Antalya, the clinic promotes a smooth journey for patients who may be travelling abroad for dental care for the first time. Support with transfers, accommodation arrangements and tailored treatment plans all help take the stress out of the experience.

The clinic’s strong appeal to UK patients is also linked to convenience. Many treatments can be completed within a relatively short stay, allowing visitors to combine essential dental work with time in a sunny Mediterranean setting. For those looking to improve their smile while escaping the routine of everyday life, that combination is proving especially attractive.

Antalya itself adds to the appeal. Known for its warm climate, coastal views and hospitality, the city has become a major destination for health tourism. Patients can travel for treatment while enjoying a comfortable and relaxing environment, making the whole experience feel less clinical and more positive from start to finish.

Unique Smile Turkey says its focus is on delivering natural-looking results, professional care and a personalised service for every patient. With experienced clinicians, modern facilities and a clear emphasis on patient satisfaction, it is easy to see why the clinic is gaining attention among those considering treatment overseas.

For anyone thinking about improving their smile, replacing missing teeth or investing in a full dental transformation, Unique Smile Turkey is presenting itself as an option that combines affordability, convenience and high-quality care in one destination.

 

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Advertorial

Why more patients are choosing Unique Smile Turkey

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on

Modern treatment, competitive prices and a full support package are drawing growing numbers of UK patients to Antalya

FOR many people, the cost of private dental treatment in the UK can be difficult to manage. From implants and crowns to veneers and full smile makeovers, the price of restoring confidence in your smile can often feel out of reach.

That is why more patients are turning their attention to clinics abroad, and Unique Smile Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular choice.

Based in Antalya, one of Turkey’s best-known coastal destinations, Unique Smile Turkey offers a wide range of treatments for international patients, including dental implants, crowns, veneers, smile makeovers and full-mouth restorations. The clinic has built its reputation around combining modern dentistry with a welcoming, well-organised experience for visitors travelling from the UK.

One of the biggest attractions is value. Patients can often receive the treatment they need at a far lower cost than they might expect to pay privately at home, without compromising on the standard of care or the quality of the overall experience.

Unique Smile Turkey also aims to make the process as straightforward as possible. From the first consultation through to treatment planning and arrival in Antalya, the clinic promotes a smooth journey for patients who may be travelling abroad for dental care for the first time. Support with transfers, accommodation arrangements and tailored treatment plans all help take the stress out of the experience.

The clinic’s strong appeal to UK patients is also linked to convenience. Many treatments can be completed within a relatively short stay, allowing visitors to combine essential dental work with time in a sunny Mediterranean setting. For those looking to improve their smile while escaping the routine of everyday life, that combination is proving especially attractive.

Antalya itself adds to the appeal. Known for its warm climate, coastal views and hospitality, the city has become a major destination for health tourism. Patients can travel for treatment while enjoying a comfortable and relaxing environment, making the whole experience feel less clinical and more positive from start to finish.

Unique Smile Turkey says its focus is on delivering natural-looking results, professional care and a personalised service for every patient. With experienced clinicians, modern facilities and a clear emphasis on patient satisfaction, it is easy to see why the clinic is gaining attention among those considering treatment overseas.

For anyone thinking about improving their smile, replacing missing teeth or investing in a full dental transformation, Unique Smile Turkey is presenting itself as an option that combines affordability, convenience and high-quality care in one destination.

 

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Why more UK patients are choosing Unique Smile Turkey

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Affordable treatment, modern care and a stress-free experience in Antalya are making the clinic an increasingly popular choice

FOR many people across the UK, the dream of improving their smile can feel frustratingly out of reach. Whether it is dental implants, crowns, veneers or a full smile makeover, the cost of private treatment at home can be daunting, leaving many patients putting off work they have wanted or needed for years.

That is why more people are now looking abroad for treatment, and Unique Smile Turkey is becoming an increasingly attractive option for patients who want quality care, clear pricing and a more straightforward route to achieving the smile they want.

Based in Antalya, one of Turkey’s most popular and well-established destinations for health tourism, Unique Smile Turkey offers a wide range of dental treatments for international patients. The clinic promotes services including implants, crowns, veneers, full-mouth restorations and cosmetic smile transformations, with treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs and expectations.

One of the main reasons patients are drawn to the clinic is affordability. For many UK visitors, the chance to receive extensive dental work at a significantly lower cost than they might pay privately at home is a major factor. For people who have been delaying treatment because of the price, that can make a life-changing difference.

But it is not only about cost. Unique Smile Turkey presents itself as a clinic focused on combining value with professionalism, comfort and convenience. For patients travelling overseas, that matters. Dental treatment abroad can feel like a big step, so having a clinic that aims to guide patients through the process from the initial consultation to arrival, treatment and departure can make the whole experience feel far more manageable.

The clinic’s appeal also lies in how simple it tries to make the journey. Many patients want reassurance that they will not be left to organise everything alone, and Unique Smile Turkey promotes a service built around international visitors. That includes structured treatment planning, support throughout the visit, and a process designed to help patients feel confident before they even board the plane.

Another major attraction is time. In many cases, treatment can be planned around a relatively short stay, allowing patients to complete important dental work within days rather than stretching the process over many months. For busy people who want results without endless appointments, that is a strong selling point.

Then there is the setting itself. Antalya is not only known for its dental clinics, but also for its sunshine, coastline and hospitality. For many visitors, travelling there for treatment offers a more positive and uplifting experience than the usual image of sitting in a waiting room close to home. Instead, patients can combine dental care with a stay in a warm and welcoming destination, turning something they may have been anxious about into a much more relaxed and rewarding experience.

Unique Smile Turkey also appeals to people seeking confidence as well as treatment. A smile can have a huge impact on how someone feels in everyday life, affecting self-esteem, social confidence and even how willing they are to appear in photographs or speak in public. For patients who have spent years feeling unhappy about their teeth, investing in a smile makeover can feel about far more than appearance alone. It can be about restoring confidence and improving quality of life.

The clinic says its aim is to provide natural-looking results while offering modern techniques and a personalised approach for every patient. That combination of cosmetic improvement and restorative care is a big part of why so many people now see treatment abroad as a realistic and appealing option.

As awareness of dental tourism continues to grow, clinics such as Unique Smile Turkey are standing out by offering what many patients want most: expert support, attractive pricing, a smooth treatment journey and the opportunity to return home with renewed confidence in their smile.

For anyone thinking seriously about implants, veneers, crowns or a complete dental transformation, Unique Smile Turkey is positioning itself as a destination that brings together affordability, comfort and high-quality care in one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing locations.

 

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