Craftsea expands in Mumbles with £50,000 micro loan from Development Bank of Wales
Craftsea expands in Mumbles with £50,000 micro loan from Development Bank of Wales
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A paint-your-own pottery party venue in Mumbles is set to welcome more budding artists than ever before after securing a £50,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales.
Craftsea, founded by Louise James in 2017, offers paint-your-own pottery sessions for individuals, families, and groups. Customers can choose from a range of ceramics, including plates, mugs, cups and coasters, to paint and decorate before their creations are glazed and fired on-site.
The business has now moved into a larger neighbouring property on Mumbles Road, almost doubling its space. The new venue will allow Craftsea to host more guests and accommodate the growing demand for creative workshops and group sessions.
Louise began Craftsea by running pottery painting parties and classes in customers’ homes and community venues, firing the finished products in a kiln in her own garage. In 2018, she moved into a small shop on Mumbles Road, giving her space to host regular sessions and events, and install her first in-house kiln.
In recent years, demand for classes and larger painting parties has increased significantly, prompting her to look for new premises to support the business’s growth.
As well as expanding its main studio area, the new venue includes a bar space where visitors can enjoy teas, coffees, and alcoholic drinks during their painting sessions.
Louise said: “We’ve grown really quickly and it became obvious that we needed to go somewhere else, with more capacity and more room. The new venue is much more spacious, with room for a kitchen and a dedicated retail space, along with a bar.
“The support from the Development Bank means that we’re now ready for the next phase of our growth with more space to meet the demand we’ve built up in the last few years.”
Charlotte Price, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, added: “Louise has built a popular creative business with Craftsea, in an area with strong demand from parents of young children looking for group activities, and those looking for an alternative to the usual night out. We’re pleased that our funding is helping Louise to grow the business and expand her offering for the local community and tourists alike.”
The investment was provided through the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, financed by the Welsh Government, which supports Welsh businesses with loans, mezzanine finance and equity investments ranging from £25,000 to £10 million. The fund offers flexible terms of up to 15 years.
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