Plans for a new dog-friendly coffee shop in Rhiwbina have been submitted to Cardiff council. The plans, submitted on behalf of Coffi Lab, propose to transform a former betting shop on Heol-y-Deri into a modern coffee shop.
Coffi Lab, which has already opened branches in Llandaff and Whitchurch in the past year, has now submitted plans to change the use of a vacant betting shop on Heol-y-Deri to a café, with ground floor and outdoor seating. The coffee shop would be open 7.30am to 5.30pm between Monday and Friday, 8am to 5.30pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 5pm on Sundays.
The dog-friendly coffee shop already has locations in Abergavenny, Monmouth, and Marlborough, and was set up by Coffee #1 founder and Cardiff native James Shapland. After opening its first Cardiff site in Llandaff in November 21, an announcement appeared on Coffi Lab's social media to say that it would be opening on Penlline Road in Whitchurch on February 26.
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If proposals are accepted to open at the Rhiwbina site, it would become Coffi Lab's third Cardiff branch. The coffee shop sells a range of coffees, smoothies, pastries, sandwiches and even Coffi Lab branded dog biscuits. The first site, in Monmouth, opened in July 2021.
The cafe has chosen to become corporate partners with Guide Dogs UK, and says on its website that it will do "all it can to support this wonderful cause," including 'puppy partnerships,' fundraising challenger days and supporting local volunteers.
Coffi Lab sponsors guide dogs in memory of family and friends through a partnership with Guide Dogs UK. Its first sponsored Guide Dog for their Monmouth store is Tony, a Labrador cross Golden Retriever pup born in September and named in memory of James’ father Tony Shapland.
James grew up in Cardiff and has said that he hopes to open the coffee shop in "several locations in Cardiff." The business was inspired by his two Fox-Red Labradors, Brynmor and Dylan and he runs the business alongside his partner Hannah Gillard who works as Managing Director.
