If you use the facilities at The Business Centre, from its well-furnished office spaces to spacious meeting rooms, chances are you’ve come across a beaming ray of sunshine named Melissa Ringham or Mel for short. She is the owner of the widely popular Mel’s Café in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. It is considered one of the best cafés in the town for decadent desserts and comforting home-cooked meals.
Food, charity, and so much more
Mel has been with us since 18 April 2016, and she has become a vital member of our community for so many inspiring reasons! Besides crafting sweet and savoury treats such as gooey chocolate brownies and juicy burgers, she truly cares for those in the community, especially those less fortunate. Her love for baking and cooking trickles into her love for the people around her. Beyond this, Mel also uses her role as an owner of a busy café to spread kindness and care. Every year, she raises awareness about various charity organisations and coordinates fundraising drives in her café. The biggest one she is currently involved in is Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides care for people living with cancer. In Particular, she gets us involved in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, and the much awaited Barry Bake Off.
She supports many other charity drives such as Welsh Hearts.
Before becoming a successful businesswoman, she was a stay at home mum raising her daughter, Abi, otherwise famously known as Mini-Mel! And get this, she was also a part-time worker at another café for about a year. Her growth is incredible! Today, Mel wears many hats, from doting mom and savvy café owner to community leader and philanthropist. We love a multi-talented queen with a heart of gold.
Dream turns into reality
It was always Mel’s dream to own a cafe, and when the big opportunity opened up in TBC, she didn’t waste any time. After finding out a café was for sale here, Mel immediately went to view the property and signed the contract the next day. It was an easy decision for her after seeing the professional management at TBC and the facilities offered. She knew her café could become a success at the centre, and fast forward over five years later, she was right!
Mel says it took hard work and long hours to make her dream a reality. But her love for delicious food and baked goods made her journey less difficult. Her biggest challenge so far was at the height of the COVID19 pandemic, when she had to shut down for a brief period. But she was able to come back stronger and more determined than ever before.
She wakes up bright and early to get breakfast ready for the morning rush, and she then starts preparing a variety of lunch options. For Mel, every day is an adventure, and she finds joy in knowing her customers enjoy her creations.
“I love putting a smile on faces through good food and warm service. My favourite part is seeing them light up when they see all the desserts to choose from.”
Always innovating
Since her passion is baking and cooking, she is always looking for ways to bring something new to the table, literally. She constantly experiments and changes up her menu to keep things interesting. And she must be doing something right because every year, on the birthday of Mel’s Cafe, she is showered with gifts and messages of appreciation from her supportive customers.
We at TBC love having Mel as part of our family, and we appreciate her contribution to the community of Barry. Her delicious food and charitable heart make her and her café an essential part of the centre and town. Thank you, Mel, for feeding us, nurturing us and raising money for good causes. You’re incredible!
TBC welcomes you
If you’re like Mel, looking to follow your dreams or grow your business in Vale Glamorgan, TBC can make this happen. We have modern corporate facilities wrapped up in a caring community environment and offer serviced offices, virtual offices, call answering services, and meeting rooms. If this sounds like your new business address, give us a call today!