A new dog-friendly coffee shop that is partnered with the charity Guide Dogs UK opened on Frogmore Street last weekend.

Coffi Lab is a new independent coffee shop business that has opened several stores this year, with the Abergavenny store joining Monmouth and Marlborough in opening its doors to coffee-loving customers and their canine companions.

Along with their quality coffee service, Coffi Lab sells a number of refreshments including sandwiches, cakes, biscuits and soft drinks, whilst not forgetting their four-legged friends a range of dog biscuits are also available.

The business was founded by James Shapland and is inspired by his two Fox-Red Labradors Brynmor and Dylan. James runs the business alongside partner Hannah Gillard who works as Managing Director.

Speaking to the Chronicle, James said: “I decided to launch the business as it combines my two loves of coffee and dogs. I realised there was something of a gap in the market for a business that allows dog-owners and their pets to come together in a safe and relaxing environment.”

James launched the business a few years ago but due to the Covid pandemic they weren’t able to open their first store in Monmouth until July this year.

This was closely followed by the Marlborough store opening in August.

Coffi Lab works as a partner with the charity Guide Dogs for the Blind, with all the takings from the store’s opening days trading going to the UK-based charity along with dog biscuits sales.

As well as this the business welcomes donations from customers towards supporting the charity. Through their partnership with the charity, Coffi Lab also sponsor guide dogs in loving memory of family and friends.

Their first sponsored Guide Dog for their Monmouth store is Tony, a Labrador cross Golden Retriever pup born in September and named in memory of James’ father Tony Shapland.

The stores in Monmouth, Marlborough and Abergavenny have already welcomed charity staff members and Guide Dogs in training to check on progress of the new stores.

The new store in Abergavenny is based on Frogmore Street and has a wide, spacious sitting area as well as an outdoor space and opened on Saturday October 9, and had a successful day welcoming many visitors and collecting takings of £2,111, all of which will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Posting on their social media pages following their opening in Abergavenny, Coffi Lab said: “Thank you to all our wonderful customers and teams.

‘‘We have raised nearly £7,500 for Guide Dogs UK so far from our opening days, dog biscuit sales and your generous donations from our three stores.”

The business will now also be opening a fourth store in Llandaff, Cardiff, with James very excited for the future of the business.

He added: “We are delighted to have brought Coffi Lab to this lovely Market Town.

‘‘We have been made to feel very welcome and the interest shown by locals during our refurbishment period, through to the outstanding support and enthusiasm we received over our opening weekend, has confirmed that Abergavenny is the perfect spot to be surrounded by warmth and friendliness.

“We are keen to keep growing and expanding to open as many stores as possible and provide a unique place with a wonderful, caring and friendly atmosphere for coffee-lovers and their dogs.”