Abergavenny bakery forced to close after 'significant decrease in footfall'

A popular family bakery in Abergavenny has closed after a "significant decrease in footfall and customer spending, alongside rising running costs". The owners of O'Connell's Bakery have also said that the business never fully recovered following severe flooding in November last year brought on by Storm Claudia. Married couple Chris and Rhian O'Connell opened the bakery on Frogmore Street five years ago but have announced that the store will be closing after August 14. Their second site in Pontypool will remain open, they said. Writing to customers to announce the "difficult decision", the owners said: "This has been an incredibly hard decision for us to make. "Over recent years we’ve seen a significant decrease in footfall and customer spending, alongside rising running costs, and truthfully we’ve never fully recovered from the impact of the floods. "Sadly it’s reached the point where keeping the shop open is no longer sustainable." For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here In November 2025 homes and businesses were destroyed by devasting floods after Storm Claudia. A major incident was declared for nearby Monmouth as people had to be evacuated and rescued from properties. Residents and customers of O'Connell's discussed the location of the store in Abergavenny as being a factor in the lack of footfall, while the owners said it would be too expensive to continue to operate there. They said: "We understood the location of the shop was difficult for people. But the cost of rent and rates within the town would make it more difficult in this climate. "We are exploring other options and will keep you updated, but as of this moment we will be sad to say goodbye. Unfortunately the saying is true for many small businesses. Use it or lose it. " Earlier this year the independent bakery also received a "damaging, dishonest" review that they feared would negatively impact the business. The reviewer claimed a delivery never arrived, but O'Connell's said tracking confirmed that they accepted the parcel and described the feedback as "next-level dishonest". The bakery has stated that this is not the end for them as they continue to operate in Pontypool and explore further options elsewhere.