Hotelier opens fine foods shop in Llandudno

Nov 4 2010 by Martin Williams, North Wales Weekly News

A HOTELIER defied a slowdown in town centre trade by opening a fine foods shop.

Mark Richards, owner of the Manor Hotel in Llandudno, believes Manor Fine Foods and Wares will be a roaring success.

Situated at the top of Mostyn Street in the old Motorworld premises - which lay empty for years – he is confident customers will come from far and wide to buy the local delicacies and produce they have on offer.

Speaking to the Weekly News yesterday, Mark said juggling two businesses in the resort would not be a problem.

He added: “We were already very busy with the hotel but now the season’s ended we thought it would be a good idea to do this.

“As well as international products like pasta and olive oil we’ll be concentrating on produce from the North Wales area and are aiming to work with 50 local suppliers in time.

“The shop is dedicated to them and follows the successful Conwy Feast a few weeks ago. People want food like this and to support businesses on their doorstep, so we believe we have a winning formula.”

Mark hit the headlines earlier this year when he was best man for sweethearts who met over the breakfast table at his hotel.

Arthur Leech and Jay Avelina later married at Llandudno Town Hall.

They had met one morning at Easter and within a week 55-year-old Arthur had proposed.

The couple have since sold their houses and bought a caravan in Dwygyfylchi, where they plan to spend the rest of their lives together.

Mark hopes marrying the hotel trade with the fine foods industry will be an equally popular union.

Employing three staff, he said there are plans to recruit more in the near future if the business is a success.

Mark added: “We plan to operate a mini food fayre out of the shop, with regular tasting sessions and inviting the producers in to chat with customers.

“People may think we’re a bit crazy juggling a hotel and a shop given the current climate but we’re bringing quality local produce to the high street.

“The shop looks great; there is nothing like this on Mostyn Street or in Llandudno and we hope people will like it and support us.”