End of an era as Pinewood Café to close
The Pinewood Café & Home Bakery will cease trading on December 30, following an announcement posted in the window by the current management team this week.
The building has been sold, and while there are no details as to what the future plans hold, the café has come out quickly to clarify its position.
In a message to “our valued and loyal customers”, the staff said that “it saddens to inform you that this building has been sold, and so, with a heavy heart we will be opening our doors for the last time On December 30”.
The business entered a new era in 2013 when Amanda Gittins took over as the new Proprietor, having worked there for more than 30 years.
Two years previously, the Pinewood’s founder Mervyn Evans died more than 50 years after starting the business by buying No. 4 Broad Street back in 1961.
As a young entrepreneur, Mervyn developed the Pinewood Cafe into a modern coffeehouse and in 1963 he bought No. 3 Broad Street which he turned into a bakery shop. In 1967 he bought the pub next door which was known as the Boars Head but became the Pinewood Tavern.
During the 60's and 70's Mervyn and his brother Win ran the Broad Street business together. They also built up an outdoor catering business for functions such as Wedding Receptions, Balls and Parties. They sold the outdoor catering in the mid 70's to solely concentrate on the Pinewood. Win died in 2000.
Mervyn was the son of Evan Evans who was born in Welshpool in 1874 and managed a bakery shop in the premises now known as Alexander’s. Evan became a respected businessman and after the Second World War, Mervyn, who had served in the Army in Normandy, France and Belgium, joined the family business before branching out on his own.
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