Willmore's Cafe today opened a refreshment van nearby the play park in Cosmeston Country Park and Lakes.

The cafe's owners - recently engaged couple Matt Holland and Charlotte Court - say the van will enable them to diversify their business after a difficult year.

They named the van George after Matt's father, who sadly died during lockdown.

George was converted by local businesses, stocks local products and will be operated by a local employee who Matt and Charlotte intend to hire.

Willmore's submitted a successful undisclosed bid to the Vale of Glamorgan Council to trade at the site. They hold the licence for a year with the option of extending for an additional two years.

"We were looking for another avenue to go alongside the shop for a long time and a friend of ours had this van available so we jumped at it basically," Matt told us. "Lockdown has been so tough so we're looking at two different types of income.

"It's named George […] as a dedication to my dad who passed away in lockdown. It's a tribute to him and carries his name on to keep him with us for as long as we can," he continued.

"It's been playing up today […] so it's just like my dad, a real pain in the backside."

The owners of Willmore's are renowned in the town for their positive attitude and their bold approach to surviving and recovering from the pandemic. We asked Matt to explain this mindset.

"In adversity, sometimes you need to push on a bit. We've decided to diversify and turn negativity into a positivity and do something different." "

The van was converted by Jim Brooks-Dowsett of the Herbert Terrace leisure company Puravida Boardriders. Penarth Tyres fitted the tyres just yesterday.

The van's product range includes stock from Thompsons Butchers, Ellis Eggs, Mega Cakes and Brutons. Matt explained why Willmore's always strive to supply local products.

"It's about community. We love being part of the community - meeting people, creating people and keeping people happy. Coffee's perfect for doing that."