Serendipitea opens in Cwmbran in former Trios Teashop site

Claire Sully opened Serendipitea on April 1 on 7 Richmond Road, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran.

This comes after Trios Teashop was closed in December 2024 by Lesley Saunders, who ran the previous business for around ten years.

The business has replaced Trios Teashop which closed in December 2024. (Image: Claire Sully) Claire said: “This is something I always wanted to do. The time is now, and this is where I’ve always wanted to be. I’m living the dream. Here we are and I have no regrets.

“I used to be a customer, and I was brought up down the road. It’s been lovely to come here and open the place back up.

“It’s been really busy. It’s been nice and steady, and things are going well. We already have some afternoon teas and buffets booked in.

“I couldn’t imagine the village not having a café. It’s somewhere for people here to go and a lot of residents have said they are pleased to see the café open again. It’s such a community hub.”

Claire grew up in Pontnewydd. (Image: Claire Sully) Indeed, Claire was brought up in Pontnewydd and attended Maendy Primary School.

Claire continued “I’m going to see how it goes for now. I’m hoping to host some events in the evening once I’ve got the license. I’m also looking at some celebratory things to boost trade.

“We serve breakfast in the morning with toast, tea and cakes. Snacks and light bites for lunch and one hot special which changes every day.”

The café was opened on April 1. (Image: Claire Sully) Before Claire opened the business she worked as a health and safety manager for eight years and has 25 years of experience in the food industry, previously being employed by Tesco and Greggs.

For breakfast, locals can choose from Sully’s Breakfast, Vegetarian Breakfast a Breakfast Roll or Buttered Toast.

The light bites include toasted teacakes, items on toast, omelettes and a cheese scone with chilli jam.

Serendipitea serves a hot special every day. (Image: Claire Sully) There are sharing platters such as a continental sharing board with cheeses, olives, salad, chutney, grapes and crackers and a cheese sharing board with a selection of cheeses.

The café also offers jacket potatoes with a range of fillings like tuna mayonnaise, ham salad, coronation chicken, goats’ cheese and red onion chutney and tuna melt besides soup of the day which is served with bloomer bread.

Serendipitea is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm.