Two best friends have opened a new crèche in Cwmbran with the aim of helping isolated mothers and also those who want to visit the shops without the children in tow.

Lauleigh’s in Cwmbran Parade, at the heart of the busy shopping complex, opened its doors in early January.

Lindsey Leigh and Lauren Innes, who are both 32 and have six children between them, received a £4,500 loan from Robert Owen Community Banking through the Start Up Loan Company to get their new business up and running.

The cash has been used to transform the former restaurant site into the bright and electronically secure creche filled with children’s toys, cars and play tents to entertain the young visitors.

“The only other help we got was from a friend who has bought the soft play area for us and we will pay the money back. So the loan from Robert Owen Community Banking was crucial in helping us get started,” said Lindsey.

A lot of hard work decorating – even on Christmas Eve – was done by the pair in order to get the crèche ready for its opening at the start of January.

Originally, they had planned to operate a “drop-in” crèche for shoppers, costing from £5 for half an hour for one child to £8 for two hours.

But Lindsey said that demand for that had not proved sufficient so the drop-in crèche now operates only on Monday and Thursday lunchtimes ( from 12 till 2pm).

In addition, at other times of the week Lauleigh’s offers “Stay and Play” sessions including Music Kids and Baby Sign Language, costing £4 per child and £1 for siblings who play along.

“These sessions are proving really popular already,” said Lindsey. “And we’re finding mums who might have been a bit isolated are coming here and making new friends.

“One mum has an 18-month-old and twins of just four months and she was finding it difficult to get out to meet people. Now she’s coming here and we can help.”

Lauleigh’s is also supporting charities when possible – for instance on St David’s Day – when toddlers arrived in fancy dress.

Lindsey, whose eldest child is disabled, admitted giving something back to the community was part of her motivation for starting the crèche.

“With all the hospital appointments we had to go to when she was young it was so difficult for me to work. 

“I don’t want to be super rich. I just want to have a wage and to give something back to the community.”

The crèche has plans to open a kitchen facility where it will be able to offer customers paninis and other snacks. It also hires out fun mini shopping trolleys for youngsters to accompany their parents on a shopping trip.

Mark White, senior business manager with Robert Owen Community Banking, said they were very impressed with both the preparation and the scope of the crèche project when it was presented to them.

“The commercial aspect of the proposition was exciting, and also the social and community aspect.

“We believe the crèche is a meeting a real community need as well as being a viable commercial business."