New Knighton business looking forward to the spring and summer after being overwhelmed by support since opening the doors.

Andrea Williams opened Border Bites at 8 High Street, Knighton last week and is offering everything from sandwiches, to salad boxes, pasties, jacket potatoes, cakes, coffees and teas. 

She said she had been extremely overwhelmed by the support she had received from the local community and had been very busy.

Andrew said; “I am extremely overwhelmed by the support that I have received from the local community and the local shops in the last few days that I have been open. 

“I have been very busy and everyone has been so lovely and so supportive and I’ve had some amazing feedback in person and comments on my social media page. “Without all these people visiting my shop it wouldn’t be possible and I hope it continues.”

In the first week she said all items had sold well, she catered for a business lunch at Caleb Roberts and stayed open late on Thursday night as the town came alive for the rescheduled Christmas lights switch-on – which was forced to cancel on Saturday following  Storm Darragh. 

Andrea, who lived in Knighton for over 30 years attending the local primary school and then John Beddoes High School in Presteigne, moved to Presteigne in 2018 with her partner Luke and three children - Ryan, Alfie and Isabella. 

She said the shop was a very last minute decision that she and Luke had said would be a good addition to Knighton as there wasn’t anything like that. 

“We found a shop that we thought would be ideal and it all fell into place. We then spent a month converting into a sandwich bar with the help of family, friends and local tradesmen.

“I’m looking forward to bringing something to Knighton that isn’t already there and providing something to the local community that I hope they will like. 

“I am also looking forward to spring and summer when we have walkers interested in the Offa’s Dyke which luckily happens to have the Glyndwr’s Way trail that starts right outside my shop.” 

The shop will be open six days a week from 8am until 2pm in the week and 9am until 1pm on a Saturday.

The success of opening week has been so spectacular, that Andrea has decided it’s far too much work for one person. 

“I’m going to have to employ someone else now, as it was going to be just me originally,” she said.

“But the queues have been at the door all the time because I just haven’t been able to keep up with the demand alone. 

“I’m drafting in a few friends for the upcoming Christmas period but after then I will have to advertise for an additional member of staff.” 

The Border Bites Sandwich Bar Facebook page has surpassed 500 followers.