0:00:02 > 0:00:04Built in the heart of the city,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08Swansea Market is Wales' largest indoor market.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09'There you are, £16.82.'
0:00:09 > 0:00:12That's fantastic. Thank you very much indeed.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Every day, more than 700 people compete alongside each other
0:00:17 > 0:00:18for business.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- Get your chestnuts and your satsumas.- Cockles.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Come and get your fishies.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28Their stalls will trade with the communities of modern Wales.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29£4.79. £4.00 to you.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32We'll think about it. Leave it here first.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34We'll think about it.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36And service its oldest institutions.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39The first time I've ever shook hands with royalty.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43In the grip of a recession, this is the one place
0:00:43 > 0:00:47where a small idea can still turn into a big profit.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49'The total business turnover'
0:00:49 > 0:00:51is forecast is to be just over £5 million.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54But the way we shop is changing.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00City centres are losing business to large supermarkets and retail parks.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I've never seen it as tough as it is now.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05You're destroying the livelihood of 700 people
0:01:05 > 0:01:07if you destroy Swansea Market.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10So how can it be right, how can it be right for the country?
0:01:10 > 0:01:14The market has to pull together as a unit, as a team, I guess.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Filmed over the busiest period of the market's year,
0:01:21 > 0:01:26this series explores the fortunes and fates of the city's traders
0:01:26 > 0:01:30as they try and keep their business dreams alive.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32Three minutes late.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34You know, Paul, it's not good enough is it, son?
0:01:34 > 0:01:38You've just got to pray somebody wants what we've got, basically.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40That's all we can do.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Well, look. Look at all these lovely, happy people.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45You don't get that in Tesco's.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00It's the beginning of January in Swansea.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04The city centre is now quiet
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and the bustle of Christmas a fading memory.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14The market has been open since the 27th December,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17but the aisles have been largely empty.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Welcome relief for head of security Eric Toms,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22clocking on after the New Year break.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Good morning, Ian. Eric it is from Swansea city centre market
0:02:29 > 0:02:32just logging on for another day of abuse from the reprobates,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36fighting crime, cold, walking about, meeting and greeting.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39Have a nice day. Bye now.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Three weeks ago you wouldn't have been able to walk up this aisle
0:02:44 > 0:02:47without having to shove past lots and lots of people.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48You can see now there's no queues
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and people are getting served quickly.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I mean, look how clear this aisle is.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56So, I expect this is the way January's going to be.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00For the traders, a quiet January is a difficult time,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03when a lack of customers squeezes business and profits.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09There are lots of people whose livelihoods depend on the market
0:03:09 > 0:03:14and if people are not coming in and buying and we lose our customers
0:03:14 > 0:03:18then it could mean some weeks that we don't have any money.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20These will be lean times, there's no doubt about it.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Without Christmas these could be bankruptcy times.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Across the aisles, traders are stepping up to the challenge,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32tightening their belts and adapting their businesses
0:03:32 > 0:03:34to the quiet market.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36We've got to try and encourage a little bit of growth
0:03:36 > 0:03:42and we're looking to put on a few good deals
0:03:42 > 0:03:44and to grab them.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You've got to do what you've got to do at the time.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47It's all about the offers.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50People walk past. They don't just shop with their eyes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53They shop with their purses and wallets too. It is a sign of the times.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58To survive in this market you have to diversify.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00It's no good going on your knees and hoping
0:04:00 > 0:04:03something's going to come right. You have to do things for yourself.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05At Sandy's Lunchbox,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09New Year begins with gifts from a well-deserved winter mini-break.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14This is their version of a salt and pepper pot.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16So we've all got salt and pepper sets?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- You've all got... It reminds you of work, doesn't it?- Yeah, lovely.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Sandy Ellis has just returned from holiday
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and her first visit to North Africa.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30We had a nice little New Year break in Morocco
0:04:30 > 0:04:32which, I must say, was very interesting.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35They thought I was Moroccan
0:04:35 > 0:04:41and they offered Rob 50,000, I mean 50,000 camels for me.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Not 5,000 or 500, but 50,000.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Sandy's trip also opened her eyes to new foods and flavours
0:04:49 > 0:04:53and a possible new direction for the Lunchbox.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56We have been inspired by the Moroccan tagines
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and I think sometimes it doesn't matter how long
0:04:59 > 0:05:03you've been in a certain game,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05it's fresh eyes needed all the time.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09So, Rob and I are going to do some experimenting at home
0:05:09 > 0:05:11with different things
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and then some things we're going to introduce here.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19What's happening at Sandy's Lunchbox
0:05:19 > 0:05:22is reflected across the city.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Swansea is changing.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27New people are arriving, bringing different tastes, new styles
0:05:27 > 0:05:32and in the case of one group, a lot of new business to the market.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Is two pound all? Two pound all?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- You're having a laugh, aren't you? - TV. You on the TV.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43There are now over 3,000 Chinese people in Swansea.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46From second-generation Hong Kong businessmen
0:05:46 > 0:05:49through to wealthy students from Shanghai.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Both groups have a keen interest in fresh produce
0:05:52 > 0:05:56and a very hands-on approach to selecting their food.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Six.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Stop touching.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04This lady always touches. She touches all the time, she drives me nuts.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I just shout at them.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08They just love to touch.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10They check the gills.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13It's only them that do it and it's not fair on other people who's buying the fish,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15so I constantly shout at them.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17You're just dying to touch them, aren't you?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21We're different because the Chinese, we're very particular with our food.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26With English people, I think, it's got to be fast and quick and easy
0:06:26 > 0:06:28but with us it's fresh and looks nice and tasty,
0:06:28 > 0:06:29that's what we're looking for.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- What are you after?- £2.00 money. - How much?- £2.00 money.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Chinese interest is focused on fish and meat.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Most of the market's butchers now supply chicken feet,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41necks and even chicken gizzard.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- If you can start them for me. - Thank you.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- How many did we put in a bag last time?- 20 in a bag.- Right.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50What the Chinese do is this.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52You've got the gizzard here.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57You open the crop and whatever's in the crop,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00which is seed and grass, you take this away there...
0:07:02 > 0:07:03..and that is dressed ready.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05What you've got there now is red meat.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09There's 20 in here for a pound.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12This should be gone in about three hours.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15As soon as they see them out there now, word goes around they're here
0:07:15 > 0:07:18and then everybody'll come in for them.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19Thank you. Bye.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24That's probably the right way up, Lee, isn't it?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Some will go to unusual lengths to attract the passing customer.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29It is that way?
0:07:29 > 0:07:33For Adrian Coakley Greene, the arrival of Chinese New Year
0:07:33 > 0:07:38means giving his historic stall a distinctly oriental makeover.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42We are buying fish in for the Chinese community.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46They're so used to having very, very fresh and live fish back at home,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48this is what they want
0:07:48 > 0:07:52and this is what we're trying to source for them.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Lousy bit of Sellotape.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Oh, look at that, it's damp.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Adrian's extra effort appears to have paid off.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Look at this place.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Wow, very fresh!
0:08:05 > 0:08:07It's a wow, wow, wow.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Yeah, when we seen this we definitely buy something in here.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16We're just comparing prices, the little one there is two for £5
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and this is three for £10, but this one look much more fresher.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21You can see the eye's is still very bright
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and got glisten on the body so it's a lot more fresher.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26£5, OK.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29£25 here, £5 for you.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Good business.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41But the market's youngest fishmonger
0:08:41 > 0:08:45has bigger fish to fry than the Chinese.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- Is that Neath? - That's Neath, yeah.- It says Neath.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Paul Raeburn, owner of the recently established Market Plaice,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55is today opening a new stall in Neath Market,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57several miles outside of Swansea.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01There's always been three fishmongers in the market.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Two well established and one just always existed and that was it,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06but it was always there.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08People have tried and they've come and gone
0:09:08 > 0:09:10but no-one's really made a go of it until now.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I've seen an opportunity to open a fishmonger's in a market
0:09:13 > 0:09:15that doesn't have a fishmonger's so, while I'm youngish,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I'm going to have a go and see how it pans out.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20We're probably going to lose a few customers from the Swansea shop,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22but I don't mind that.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25It's the customers that I gain from maybe the other two fishmongers
0:09:25 > 0:09:27in Swansea Market.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30But it's a competition and, as I say, I've seen an opportunity
0:09:30 > 0:09:31and I'm having a go.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Neath Market, here we are. Let's do this.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38I'm so excited.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39Right.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46Whilst the other fishmongers still sleep, Paul has invested £20,000
0:09:46 > 0:09:50to transform an abandoned card shop into his second fish stall.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51It's been quite stressful.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53The easy part now is now.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56It's just up to us to do our job now and that's what we'll do.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00This is why I'm not nervous about this, I'm not worried about this.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02This comes naturally to us now.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Paul's new business fits in with his ambitious plan
0:10:05 > 0:10:10that could see outlets of the Market Plaice stretching across south Wales.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Somewhere down the line I would like - Cardiff.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Cardiff has got one in there, very well respected fishmonger's.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19If there was an opportunity somewhere down the line
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I would like to have a go in there but that means myself relocating.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I'm talking a good five years at least.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Have we got water in the sink?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28This was an opportunity too good to pass up. I've gone for it.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Fingers crossed another opportunity will present itself
0:10:31 > 0:10:33because I'm always looking forward to progress
0:10:33 > 0:10:37but at the same time it's got to be financially viable to do it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42There we are, Market Plaice is now open.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43Wahey!
0:10:47 > 0:10:49But as the sun rises in Swansea,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Paul's ambition has caused upset in the market.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57To cover two stalls, the Market Plaice has expanded its workforce
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and for the second time in two years Paul has poached staff
0:11:01 > 0:11:03from his rival, Neil Morgan.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Mark's left. He's gone to work for one of my competitors.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I've lost two staff to him.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15It's not a business tactic I get to use.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19It's not something that I'd want anyone to go through, you know.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20It's not a nice thing to do.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Mark Rastatter has shifted allegiance from Tuckers
0:11:23 > 0:11:25to the Market Plaice.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29My partner's got a son, he's 18 who lives with us.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I've got my own daughter, she's 15 and she lives with her mother
0:11:32 > 0:11:33and I've got bills to pay.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35You've got food, you've got the rent,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37you've got all these different things.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Paul offered me a shot and it's more money and I need it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I need the money to get by.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45There we are, fishmonger's open in the market.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Give that in when you buy you get 10% off, fresh fish.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I've always been a grafter, to be honest, and I believe
0:11:50 > 0:11:52you've got to work hard, nothing will fall in your lap.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55If you want something, you've got to go and get it. It's hard work.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58If you think you've made it, that's when standards start slipping.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01We're always looking to improve and progress.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05There we are, my friend. There's a fishmongers opened in the market.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Give this when you buy and you'll get 10% off.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- You can use it all week. - Oh, right. All week?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12All week you can use it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Paul isn't the only one starting fresh in the new year.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18In a garage, just south of Aberystwyth,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21a new business is beginning for David Court,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25three weeks after his wedding favours shop was forced to close in the market.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Well, we've been home and after a bit of recuperation.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34We've done some thinking and some working
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and now I'm rebuilding from scratch.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40This is what it looks like and feels like to do things from scratch.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42It's slow, hard, cold, dirty and it's boring.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48But it's going to happen because I'm going to make it happen.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51It makes you get up in the morning and go to work with a will
0:12:51 > 0:12:54because it's either that or lose everything.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57You don't have much choice but to get on with it. Quite an incentive.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01David's new business is in machine-cut Welsh love spoons.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Crafting up to 50 a day,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06he has begun selling into gift shops across the country.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Today's destination is Caerphilly.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14This one is a sweet shop so I can't sell to them.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18There's a shop over there called Nice which looks like a gift shop,
0:13:18 > 0:13:19I might give them a look.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Ah, Siop Menna, Welsh books.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27I have sold to Welsh book shops before.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30I really ought to give her a look.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33I think I'll call in and see whether I can do something here.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Hello, my name is David.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40What we've done, we've been making love spoons for 27 years
0:13:40 > 0:13:46and this is the third time Britain has gone into recession in that time.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48So you're the jinx.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50I hope it's not me.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55And so we've got a range of spoons which are designed to be
0:13:55 > 0:13:57affordable to the cash-strapped visitor.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00So, that's what we're offering.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Is that something you'd be interested in?
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It is an area that I would like to branch out into
0:14:05 > 0:14:08but obviously it does all come down to cost.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12OK, so I really need to call either at the busy time of the year
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- or this time next year.- Erm, yes.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I walk each day as far as I have to walk.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25It's like Ranulph Fiennes in the South Pole.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28If you don't want to die you have to just keep walking
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and I'm in a similar position.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32I've got to survive financially.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36So to do that I keep walking and I sell my spoons.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- My name is David Court, I make Welsh love spoons. Hiya.- Hello.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47So, what I've got to offer you is really some very strong
0:14:47 > 0:14:49simple designs of love spoons.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Do they come in white at all, or is it only this colour?
0:14:52 > 0:14:55No, I can do them in the white.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Only that it would look more shabby chic in my shop which is the look.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01When poplar comes in the white, it looks like this.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Right, let me say it's lovely quality.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Thank you very much.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- But at the moment I have to say no. - That's all right.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11I've got a mortgage to pay,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14loans to repay, a car to run,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18a wife to support, but essentially...
0:15:18 > 0:15:19Now where the dickens am I?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I'm forever getting lost. I'm not very good at this sort of thing.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24'I've been making and selling love spoons'
0:15:24 > 0:15:26for 27 years now,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29so I've quite a lot of experience commercially,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32but not sitting in a shed whittling particularly.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34We've changed our design over the years,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37we've made it a little bit more rounded and a bit shorter.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39I can deliver you a display of spoons instantly
0:15:39 > 0:15:41if you would like one.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- But it would depend on the price. - OK, then.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50If, when bad stuff happens, you roll over and you're dead,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52you're dead.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57But if you do not accept being dead because that's not what you want,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00you think no, I'm not going to do dead,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04I'm going to do get back up, face the strongest wind
0:16:04 > 0:16:06wherever it's coming from if necessary,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08and that is the direction I'm going in.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I'm going to keep going in it until I get what I want.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Right, if you'd like to come over here. What's the name of your company?
0:16:14 > 0:16:18It's the Gift of Wales. We make Welsh love spoons.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22When I showed that to St Fagans, their expression was,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25"You get a lot of spoon for your money, don't you?"
0:16:25 > 0:16:28That is only £2.99, handmade in Wales.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Is that something you'd like to go with?- Yes, I think so.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33I think we'd be very interested. Have a safe trip.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- Thank you Mandy, all the best. - Take care, take care.- Bye-bye.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38'They've accepted my offer.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41'They'll make money out of it, I'll make money out of it'
0:16:41 > 0:16:44going forward, so all's well that ends well.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46So, that's it really.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55David's freedom to travel is the envy of some traders
0:16:55 > 0:16:58stuck behind their stalls in an empty New Year market.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Today's been very quiet.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05We expected it to be busy because it's a Saturday
0:17:05 > 0:17:08but it's more quiet than usual, so...
0:17:12 > 0:17:14How are you?
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Emily Poole's new Chocoholics shop has just made it through Christmas.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23A quiet January has now forced her to make a big decision.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I've decided to shut the shop and try other ventures.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I'll go into more workshops and wholesale things to see
0:17:31 > 0:17:33if that works out better.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36At the moment the shop isn't really paying for itself
0:17:36 > 0:17:39and I think it would be better to do other things for it.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44After ten weeks, Swansea is losing
0:17:44 > 0:17:47its only handmade organic chocolate shop
0:17:47 > 0:17:50as Emily is unable to pay her rent.
0:17:50 > 0:17:56Well, today I've had one sale and the bus fare cost me
0:17:56 > 0:17:59almost as much as the sale.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So today wasn't really enough for the overheads of the shop.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Hello. How are you?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It's that time again.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13'When you do see businesses starting to fail, it's not pleasant.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'When they discover maybe their product isn't what people want.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:20You see some guys who take it really personally
0:18:20 > 0:18:25like it's almost a rejection, almost, of how they do things.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I never thought I'd get stressed out about money.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36If I carry on from now, then I would be getting into quite a bit of debt.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44The cycle of life in Swansea Market has made another turn.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Emily will head back to her office job.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Just as one stall comes to the end of its life,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02another is about to begin.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05On the outskirts of Swansea,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09a very different handmade product is being prepared.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13And it promises to make the Market a little bit more diverse.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18This was our first, which is our little witches' gift shop.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Hywel does all the woodworky bits.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24The cushion, I made the cushion.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29It's one of my designs that I've put together myself.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Hywel and Julia Jeffreys are preparing to open Swansea's
0:19:33 > 0:19:36first artisanal dolls' house store.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Not for children.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42I consider our dolls houses to be more artisan collectors
0:19:42 > 0:19:45miniature houses, rather than dolls' houses.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50We don't do dolls' houses, we do miniature houses for adults.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Everything is to the scale as a real house.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Everything you have in the real world,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59you have in the miniature world.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Everything, the water, everything.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The world that Hywel and Julia painstakingly create
0:20:06 > 0:20:08through their hand-built houses,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11is slightly different from modern day Swansea.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12For us it's more fantasy.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15It's more fantasy, because we like the wizards and the wands,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18we like the dragons, we like the caves. We like King Arthur.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Because we like castles in real life so we'll go and visit these castles
0:20:22 > 0:20:25and we like the knights, we like watching TV programmes.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I don't think I'm eccentric
0:20:27 > 0:20:31but, probably, if people were looking in then, yeah.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Julia will keep her job as a psychiatric nurse
0:20:40 > 0:20:42when the store opens.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47Hywel has already left his job as a carpenter to get the dolls prepared.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50I think it's nice to space them out so you can appreciate
0:20:50 > 0:20:55the way their clothes are and just the whole look of them.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00You've even got her little tights, look, and the buckles on her shoes.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02They definitely demand their own space,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05they're not something that you just shove in.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07They're works of art in their own right.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12I can put my hand on my heart and say
0:21:12 > 0:21:15this stall is more like a gallery.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21It's to show what we can do and you can be part of it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Of course, it's got to make money to tick us over
0:21:23 > 0:21:25but we're not in it to make a fortune,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27we're in it because it's a dream.
0:21:33 > 0:21:3515 miles away in Port Talbot,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38another new product is being prepared for the market.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Shall I peel all these for you?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Yeah, with all the seeds out, that's good.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Sandy Ellis and her boyfriend, Rob,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50are tackling their first Moroccan tagine,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52adding their own distinctly Welsh touch.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57We've decided that we're going to go halfway,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00half Port Talbot and half Marrakesh.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05There's some things that we wanted to throw in that we like
0:22:05 > 0:22:07that maybe isn't in the recipe.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12As you can tell by this curvy girl figure, I like potatoes,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16so he's put extra in just for me.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20The arrival of the tagine has also changed
0:22:20 > 0:22:24the dynamic in the kitchen, with Sandy taking a rare back seat.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I might be the queen of the shop but Rob's the king of the kitchen.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I love practising on different recipes when I have time.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37We've got different ways sometimes of doing things.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And so when I'm cooking, to be fair, Rob helps
0:22:41 > 0:22:46but he doesn't interfere even if he thinks he knows better.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50And when Rob's cooking, you know, I respect that.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54There's lots of things I taught him
0:22:54 > 0:22:59and when we were boyfriend and girlfriend
0:22:59 > 0:23:04he used to text me and say he was cooking something Sandy-style.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07In other words, plenty of butter.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Sandy's Moroccan theme is not only new for the market.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It is a big departure from her own culinary roots.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20I don't remember so much multicultural when I was a girl.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23I don't remember having a pizza, to be honest with you,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26until I was well in my teens.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31So, for me, personally, my taste of trying different things
0:23:31 > 0:23:34has come in my adult life and not as a child.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44The next day, Swansea wakes up to a blanket of snow.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48The prospects for Sandy's tagine being a success
0:23:48 > 0:23:50suddenly seem under threat.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We made the tagine last night and it all went well and lovely
0:23:54 > 0:23:59and now the snowfall means probably no bugger's going to taste it!
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Heavy snow has prevented not only customers from reaching the market -
0:24:04 > 0:24:08half of the stalls remain closed as well.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And so if the mountain won't come to Muhammad,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13then Muhammad must go to the mountain,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17and Sandy must take her tagine to the masses.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20What we're doing now is, I've warmed some of the tagine
0:24:20 > 0:24:23and we're going to put it in these takeaway polystyrene cups
0:24:23 > 0:24:27to keep it hot, and then we're going to go outside and give it
0:24:27 > 0:24:32to some of the passers-by, obviously, as a free taster.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Right, Rob, you carry them.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Here you are, hun.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41OK? Ready?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43We've got something new in the market today
0:24:43 > 0:24:47and I'd like you to try it, we're just giving away free tasters.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- Do you like that? - Very nice.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Excuse me sir, could I just give you one of these to try.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00It's homemade but it's made to the original recipe.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03It's quite nice actually, surprisingly, yes.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06You was a bit dubious then when you wanted to try it, weren't you?
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- Yeah, but it's quite nice. - Yes? Oh, thank you very much.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Excuse me, people.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14It's lovely, actually.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18This is Moroccan, a Moroccan dish.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20This is a tagine.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24It's got apricots and sultanas in it.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- Would you like to try one, sir? - What is it?
0:25:27 > 0:25:29It's a Moroccan tagine.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34- What do you think? It's quite sweet, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Yeah? It's not spicy. - Yeah, we go for spicy food.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Yes, I thought that! That's why I chose you.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- Super korma it is.- It is good.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46It is good but it's completely different
0:25:46 > 0:25:49to what you guys would go for. Yeah, I know.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51With a positive response on the streets,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Sandy now needs to get her regulars on board.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Vicky, if we can have a dish because Brenda's going to try the tagine.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01She only wants a small little amount
0:26:01 > 0:26:05because she's a bit of a stickler of sticking to the same old.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08That's enough? There we go, all right.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11In general I'm not one for foreign foods.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I couldn't eat spaghetti to save my life.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Now, I love the cabbage and I love my sprouts,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21but I've got high cholesterol and I'm on morphine tablets
0:26:21 > 0:26:23and I can't eat a lot with them.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Is it hot, hot is it?
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Just this.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42- Yes, I like that. - Do you? Oh, I knew you would.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- You've surprised me now.- See.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49You old dears, sometimes, see, you need a kick up the bum
0:26:49 > 0:26:51to get you into gear to change your way of thinking.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- Now you be careful.- You're reminding me too much of my mother, Brend.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Sometimes that ain't a good thing, OK.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00It's beautiful.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Thumbs up from Brenda.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06If it's all right for Brenda it's all right for the masses, ain't it Brend?
0:27:06 > 0:27:08This is nice.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Sandy's Lunchbox has turned another corner
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and her business will continue.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19For over eight centuries,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22this is how the market has worked in the city centre.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Those with the right idea, at the right time,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31have thrived under its domed roof.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35What I'd say about market people is that we work hard
0:27:35 > 0:27:36and we know what we've got to do.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40None of the businesses in the market you have money for nothing.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42If you know your business
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and you have confidence in what you're selling,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48you've got a very good chance of earning a living out of the market
0:27:48 > 0:27:51but you won't get a bright future if you don't put the work in.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Ambition and hard work -
0:27:55 > 0:27:57the two pillars of market life.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02And just as generations of traders before have given themselves
0:28:02 > 0:28:06to their businesses, so the new traders of today are doing the same.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08We've done all right.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11It's hard to gauge. Crack on again tomorrow.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13There's always room for improvement,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16and to do that I've got to provide a cracking service to customers
0:28:16 > 0:28:19with fresh fish, and that's what I'm looking to do.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21I'll come in and give 100% everyday.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24In amongst the struggling high street
0:28:24 > 0:28:26and the sprawling retail park,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Swansea Market stands alone in the city
0:28:29 > 0:28:32as the place where fortunes can be made
0:28:32 > 0:28:35and the dreams of owning a small business still realised.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41This is what I wanted to do, have a shop and sell my hobbies.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45At some point in life you've got to grab the dream and go with it.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd