Flintshire pet rescue centre’s new cafe taking shape thanks to Deeside company

A Deeside garden rooms company has started work on what will be the firms biggest project so far – a new cafe for a pet rescue centre.

A generous donation from a dog lover has funded the cafe at North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR)  at Trelogan, near Holywell, which will provide tea and snacks to staff and volunteers as well as visitors looking to adopt a rescue pet.

Animal lover Doris Davies from Kinmel Bay, who once served up tea to spooks cracking the WWII Enigma code, left more than £36,000 in her will for the Flintshire centre.

Doris, who was 95 when she died, wanted to say thanks for her pet dogs, an Irish terrier and a poodle, which she adopted from NCAR.

Rubicon at North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Trelogan.

Work has now begun on the new 600 sq ft cafe, which will also host volunteer training sessions and fund-raising events. However, visitors can get a sneak preview of the building work at NCAR’s Open Day on Sunday December 4.

The centre is already receiving donations of equipment for the cafe from its supporters and is appealing for more items to ensure it can open in the New Year.

The new cafe building at NCAR marks a successful year for Rubicon Garden Rooms.

The company based at Rowley’s Drive, Shotton was founded by former Airbus engineer John Lyon, it has seen massive growth in the last 12 months leading to more staff being taken on to deal with an increasing number of orders.

Rubicon at North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Trelogan.John Lyon from Rubicon is pictured with NCAR fund-raising manager Nicky Owens with Zanda.

The main timber framework of the building is complete, along with the roof, ready for cladding to take place.

This will be followed by the internal fit out with kitchen and dining areas, said John, who has also given the charity  a substantial discount on the overall cost.

He said: “The cafe will be a great addition to the centre, and I can see that it is very much needed, as the staff and volunteers presently have a very cramped area in which to relax.

“Every one of our garden rooms is bespoke, and so each site presents its own challenges – and this one certainly has. However, we have worked closely with the team at NCAR and we are progressing very much on schedule.

“Visitors will be able to see how the new cafe is shaping up, and I hope they return in the New Year once it is open.”

Rubicon at North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Trelogan.
John Lyon from Rubicon is pictured with NCAR fund-raising manager Nicky Owens,

NCAR fund-raising manager Nicky Owen, whose parents Anne and Neil run the centre, said:

“It’s been exciting seeing the cafe take shape, and I can’t wait until we can officially open it, and our staff and volunteers have somewhere pleasant to relax.

“John and his team worked very closely with us on the design of the building, and help us to meet the planning requirements. As the work has progressed we have been kept fully informed and been able to discuss every aspect with John. I am full of praise for his level of customer service.

Nicky added staff and volunteers at NCAR had been overwhelmed at Doris’ donation, which was handed over by the pensioner’s twin grandsons, Glynn and David.

“We are delighted and so thankful to people like Doris. It’s not very often that we get a legacy left to us on this scale and we are overwhelmed with joy,” she said.

“We have more than 120 dogs on site on a daily basis, 150 cats and 20 rabbits and our costs are in excess of £1,000 a day. Donations like these make a huge difference.