Mike Armstrong, 48, took over the Cefn Mably on Lavernock Road 12 months ago, determined to use his extensive skills in the corporate and hospitality industries to turn this venue around before the end of his year-long temporary tenancy.
He said: “Over the past 12 months, I have put my blood, sweat, tears and pretty much every penny I had into trying to save the Cef and turn the business around.
“I genuinely believed I could bring this community pub back to life and with the incredible support of so many people, we have achieved a lot.”
This journey began after Mr Armstrong helped a friend who had a “struggling pub” but always fancied taking on a similar challenge of his own.
His dream, he says, would be to have a beach bar somewhere sunny, but he sensibly believes you must “try before you buy to know if the reality is as good as the vision.”
Since taking on the Cefn Mably, he has brought new customers in and begun to turn its reputation around for locals and visitors alike.
But unfortunately, he says that he was “grow the business to the level required within the time available.”
He says that alongside those who have made the effort to attend events, stay in their rooms, eat their food and recommended them to friends, they have brought the pub back to life.
Though he would love to carry on the running of this establishment, it is simply “isn’t yet at a level” where he believes he can responsibly make the commitment.
He told the Penarth Times: “Until you’re in a pic and you see the day to day, you don’t understand what a pub can do for people and the community. This is people’s lifeline.”
The pub will remain open until Sunday, September 27, and the days running up to its final trading day will see a range of events to involve the community they have built over the last twelve months and say “goodbye” with a bang.
