Torfaen County Borough Council : Fresh fruit and veg at Pontypool Indoor Market

Posted on: Monday 18 January 2016

Shoppers at Pontypool Indoor Market can now add fresh fruit and veg to their shopping baskets.

Nongyao Henderson opened NY Fruit and Veg before Christmas as a short-term trial, but has now decided to stay permanently at the market.

Mrs Henderson, who is originally from Thailand, worked as a nurse for 30 years in her home country, before moving to the UK in 2002.

She continued her career at a nursing home in Pontypool while working at a fruit and veg stall in Newport's open air market on weekends.

Having decided it was time to become her own boss, she opened the stall in the indoor market as a trial in December 2015 to see if there was enough demand to open on a permeant basis, and after a successful month decided to take on the stall permanently in January.

She said: 'I love meeting new people and chatting to customers, so this job is perfect and I think I have found my new vocation. Customers at the market have been really supportive and I already have my regulars.

'It is hard competing with the supermarkets, but I aim to provide fresh food at affordable prices, and hopefully the face to face, personal touch will keep people coming back.'

Councillor Lewis Jones, executive member for regeneration, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Nongyao to the market. Her stall adds fruit and veg to the market's fresh food offer, joining our fish monger, butcher, and delicatessen.

'We also have a café, coffee shop and two takeaways offering a wide variety of freshly cooked food, making the market the ideal place in Pontypool to pick up your fresh food, and pop in for a coffee or a spot of lunch.'

Anyone interested in trialling a stall at the marker should contact the market on Gaynor Wakeling on 01633 648371 or via [e-mail]