A former Pembrokeshire dairy farmer who had to quit the industry after suffering a life changing spinal injury has launched a houseplant centre and botanical themed coffee shop in Pembroke with his wife.
With a £20,000 start up loan from the British Business Bank - through its subsidiary Start Up Loans - Kristian (35) and Beckie Howell (31), both from Pembrokeshire, are behind Vine & Vibe, a new 6,000 sq ft indoor houseplant centre and café.
Housed in a converted commercial greenhouse, the venture is the result of both a personal and entrepreneurial journey. In 2017 Mr Howell sustained a spinal cord injury that ended his career in dairy farming and left him reliant on a wheelchair.
The couple’s shared interest in gardening, sustainability, and mental wellbeing became the catalyst for launching their own business.
Ms Howell said:“After Kris’s accident, we had to completely rethink our future. Caring for houseplants gave me purpose, and for Kris, growing vegetables helped him reconnect with the land. Vine & Vibe grew from that shared passion, and now we’re turning it into something that can benefit others too.”
Vine & Vibe has been designed with accessibility in mind, including step-free access, wide walkways and low café tables. To help visitors plan their trip, the couple are launching a dedicated accessibility section on their website, complete with images and videos, so customers can decide for themselves if the space will work for their needs.
Renovating the disused greenhouse with reclaimed materials, the couple have undertaken much of the build themselves. The funding has enabled them to kit out the café, invest in accessible furniture, stock their first plant collections, and bring in specialist trades where needed.
Mr Howell said: “We’ve worked hard to source ethically and locally wherever possible. Our coffee comes from Capital Roasters, just 1.5 miles away, and we’re working with them to develop our own flavour profile. The start up loan gave us the platform to take our vision from idea to reality. It’s been transformational.
"Being on a low income and reliant on disability benefits meant that traditional lenders simply weren’t an option for us.
"We knew we had a strong idea and the determination to make it work, but we needed someone to take a chance on us. The Start Up Loan gave us that opportunity - not just with the funding, but providing the support and advice to help us understand cash flow and business planning too. Without it, Vine & Vibe wouldn’t be happening.”
Jessica Phillips-Harris, senior manager for Wales at the British Business Bank , said: “Vine & Vibe is a great example of the power of entrepreneurial thinking in rural Wales,” said Jessica Phillips-Harris, senior manager for Wales at the British Business Bank. “Beckie and Kris are building something that’s sustainable, community-focused and rooted in their local area, and we’re proud to have supported them.”
Start Up Loans provides personal loans for business up to £25,000 at a 6% fixed interest rate per annum. It also offers dedicated mentoring and support to each business funded. The British Business Bank is the economic development bank of the Ƶ Government.
