Family business blames costs and footfall as town-centre unit closes
YoGood, a family-run frozen yoghurt and dessert kiosk, has closed its unit in Cwmbran town centre, the owners have confirmed. The move was announced in a heartfelt message to customers in which proprietors Antonio and Carmela Morana described the decision as "a difficult goodbye" and pointed to rising costs and weak footfall as decisive factors.
The kiosk, which sold frozen yoghurt, milkshakes, crepes, waffles and bubble waffles from its pitch in the shopping centre, had been a familiar sight for shoppers and families. In their statement on social media the Moranas said they had poured their time, savings and personal investment into the business but could not continue without risking everything.
"It is with heavy hearts that we have made the difficult decision to close our YoGood kiosk in Cwmbran. This wasn't the future we had imagined. We invested our time, savings, and our hearts into this little business, but unfortunately the rising costs have made it impossible for us to continue without risking everything."
The owners also raised wider concerns about the trading environment in the town centre, arguing that measures such as free parking alone are insufficient to draw the steady footfall small businesses require.
- Products sold: frozen yoghurt, milkshakes, crepes, waffles, bubble waffles
- Reason for closure: rising costs and insufficient footfall
- Future plans: markets, events and private bookings (weddings, birthdays, corporate events)
While the kiosk has shut, the family made clear that the YoGood name will continue to trade outside the shopping centre. They plan to attend local markets and events in the area and to offer a booking service for private functions including weddings, birthday parties and corporate events.
| YoGood — past offering | YoGood — planned focus |
|---|---|
| Frozen yoghurt, milkshakes, crepes, waffles, bubble waffles (Cwmbran Centre kiosk) | Markets, events and private bookings across the local area |
The closure is the latest local example of pressure on small retail operators, who have to balance rising overheads with changing shopping patterns. For residents, the loss is not only of a place to buy sweet treats but of a small independent operator that added variety to the town-centre offer.
Local traders and shoppers alike have frequently argued that sustained footfall depends on a mix of attractions, events and long-term plans to support independent businesses. The Moranas' comments echo those wider concerns: while practical measures such as parking policies matter, independent retailers say coordinated action is needed to create reasons for people to visit and linger.
In their closing message YoGood thanked customers for their support during their time in the shopping centre and encouraged the community to look out for them at future events. The Moranas added that the move to events and private hire is an attempt to keep the family business alive without the high fixed costs of a permanent town-centre kiosk.
For many in Cwmbran, the decision will be a reminder of the fragility of small-scale hospitality and retail enterprises in the current economic climate. As the town centre navigates changing consumer habits, local voices are likely to press for longer-term strategies to sustain the kind of small businesses that contribute to the town's character.
YoGood's departure highlights both the personal toll taken on family businesses and the practical choices owners face when operating costs rise but visitor numbers do not. For now, residents can still find the brand at markets and events, and by booking them for private occasions as the family refocuses its operations.
