A new restaurant and cocktail bar opening in Treorchy this bank holiday weekend will reinvest all its profits into supporting children, families and communities across the Rhondda.
The Fern & Ivy, located on High Street in the former home of a car parts shop, is run by The Fern Partnership, a social enterprise. The venue opens to the public on Friday, August 28, after hosting fundraising, private and charity events over the summer.
Menu and venue details
Guests can book tables for evening meals, visit for coffees, cakes and lunches, or enjoy brunch. The menu includes charcuterie boards, braised brisket, burgers, toasties, jacket potatoes and sweet treats.
The interior of the unit has been completely transformed into an “elegant destination where people can enjoy exceptional food, handcrafted cocktails and a welcoming atmosphere,” according to Michelle Coburn-Hughes, founder and CEO of The Fern Partnership.
Charity roots and community impact
The Fern Partnership was formed in 2008 as The Friends of Ferndale and gained charity status in 2016. It was established to enhance provision for pupils and offer services and support for the local community.
Profits from The Fern & Ivy will help the organisation support children living in poverty, families facing hardship, holiday hunger programmes, education and training initiatives, employability opportunities and wider community projects.
Coburn-Hughes described the project as having taken “two and a half years of blood, sweat and tears,” noting times when expected funding fell through and unexpected costs mounted. “But I never gave up because I believed our community deserved something truly special,” she said.
Vision for the venue
Coburn-Hughes said she wanted to create “a beautiful restaurant and cocktail bar that people would be proud to call their own – somewhere that wouldn’t look out of place in Cardiff or London, yet sits proudly in the heart of Treorchy.”
“This isn’t just about serving great food and drinks,” she added. “Every meal, every coffee and every cocktail purchased helps us make a difference to someone’s life. That’s what makes The Fern & Ivy so different.”
With a background in education, training, employability and community development, Coburn-Hughes hopes the venue will be a sustainable, long-term venture. “If people choose to support The Fern & Ivy, they’re not simply buying a meal or enjoying a cocktail. They’re investing in local children, local families and the future of our communities,” she said.
