Young entrepreneur opens Merthyr Tydfil’s first LGBTQ+ bar

Daniel Bevan - Senior Journalist

A 21-year-old entrepreneur has launched Merthyr Tydfil’s first LGBTQ+ themed bar, thanks in part to a £35,000 start-up loan from the Development Bank of Wales.

Freya Curtis, the founder of Sparkles Bar, has transformed her passion for hospitality and community into a vibrant new venue that’s already making waves in the town’s nightlife scene.

Offering live performances, karaoke, and drag shows, Sparkles has quickly become a popular hub for locals and the LGBTQ+ community alike. The business has also created four part-time jobs.

Freya, who grew up in the hospitality industry as the daughter of Marnie and Matthew Curtis—operators of the Merthyr Tydfil Labour Club—was inspired to carve out her own path.

“I’ve learnt so much from my parents about running a successful business,” said Freya. “They inspired me to set up on my own. As a member of the local LGBTQ+ community, I saw a real gap in the market for an inclusive and fun space like Sparkles. The support so far has been amazing.”

“I may only be 21, but with the backing of my family and the Development Bank, I had the confidence to go for it. I hope I can inspire others to take that leap into entrepreneurship.”

The £35,000 loan was awarded through the Development Bank’s £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund, which supports businesses across Wales with funding between £25,000 and £10 million. The fund is backed by the Welsh Government and offers flexible terms of up to 15 years.

Jessica White, Senior Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Freya is a great example of the young entrepreneurial talent we’re seeing across Wales. Our funding is designed to help people like her turn a strong business idea into a successful venture. Over the last year alone, we’ve supported more than 100 entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30. Sparkles Bar is not just a business—it’s also helping foster inclusivity and community in Merthyr.”

Sparkles Bar adds to a growing wave of youth-led enterprises that are reshaping the Welsh business landscape. With the Development Bank’s continued commitment to empowering young founders, stories like Freya’s highlight the impact of accessible, targeted funding in transforming ambition into reality.