Running a cafe has always been Jo Gethin's dream - and at just 20 years old she's done it by bringing life back into a village pub.
After being closed for almost five years, Llandinam's The Lion reopened its doors this summer to the delight of locals and holidaymakers with a new addition - Jo's at The Lion - which offers a range of food from all-day breakfasts to ciabattas, toasties to jacket potatoes as well as children's meals.
Jo, from Caersws, said she can't believe how successful her fledgling business has been since opening on July 17, only weeks after the pub's owner messaged her asking if she'd like a new challenge after leaving her job at another local cafe.
"It has always been my dream to own a café," Jo said. "I thought I’d have to take the chance. It was such a big step. It was very stressful because I had four weeks from knowing I was doing it to opening.
"I’m really delighted. I can’t believe it to be honest.
"There’s a lot of local support which I’m really glad of. The Lion's been closed for a long time and the locals just wanted to see life in it again. I know quite a lot want the pub side back and the restaurant open which I think will happen eventually but right now the café seems to be thriving. As long as people enjoy what’s here, it’s working.
"I’m thankful to everyone who has supported me and I hope they keep supporting me. I’m very grateful I’ve got my family behind me."
Enjoying their all-day breakfast in the outside seating area were regular visitors to the area Tom Nixon and Sandra Peyton, from Stafford in the West Midlands, and their two dogs.
"It's brilliant," Tom said. "The food is excellent. I’m definitely going to come back again."
Sandra added: "She’s got everything right. It’s nice for dog owners. The food is lovely. It’s fresh food. She’s so friendly. She’s got a five-star food hygiene rating which is excellent.
"We’ve been coming here for years when it was a pub, and it's lovely for it to be open again. I’ve been here for an afternoon tea, an omelette, and an all-day breakfast, and I think she’s got it right.
"It’s a big thing to open in a little village like this but I’m sure that are a lot of people in the area are using it.
"She deserves to do well, and I hope she really does. We will keep coming to support her anyway."
Jo's at The Lion is open seven days a week during the summer from 8.30am to 3pm on Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am to 3pm on Sunday.
The Lion has told customers that pints being pulled at the bar "is absolutely on the cards", adding that the full opening will happen gradually as there's more work to do including the installation of new lines for the taps.
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