In the best traditions of street art in his home town, steelworker Cassius Walker-Hunt has launched a new career with the opening of Portablo Coffee.
The blast furnace operator has taken a unit in Aberafon Shopping Centre, and with help from local artist Hassan Kamil, transformed it into a stylish coffee shop.
The change has come about with support from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE, who provided Cassius with a £7,500 Regeneration Loan and Grant.
The 28-year-old has a strong arty side himself having gained a Degree in Illustration followed by an MA in Print Making. “The town has a fantastic tradition of street art thanks to Banksy and Hassan and many others and I wanted Portablo to reflect this, and I am really pleased with the results,” he said.
He will be taking redundancy from the works in December after two years working for Tata Steel and eight years with a contractor at the site.
He feels his new career will make a contribution to the life of the town. “Portablo offers a high level, professional coffee experience which people expect these days. I am getting very good feedback and our regular clientele is growing.”
The Regeneration Loan enabled Cassius to buy a commercial refrigerator, coffee blenders and other equipment. “It has been very useful indeed and has helped me get the business off the ground.”
Michelle Noble UKSE Regional Executive said : “Portablo is a delightful destination where people can relax while on a shopping trip in the Centre. We are delighted to have offered support and wish the business all success in the future.”
Caption: Vichuda and Cassius Walker-Hunt and (foreground) Howard Thompson and Michelle Noble of Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE
More information Nigel Gabriel 07540 166626 nigelpgpr@gmail.com
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- Tata Steel is the largest steelmaker in the UK with primary steelmaking at Port Talbot in South Wales supporting manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France and Germany. It also benefits from a network of international sales offices around the world.
- Tata Steel employs more than 8,000 people and has an annual crude steel capacity of 5 million tonnes, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
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