RESTAURANT IN THE VALLEYS PAVING THE WAY FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

A couple say they are creating a “safe space for LGBTQ+ people and the wider community” at the restaurant they opened in 2020 during the pandemic.

Lauren Bowen, aged 34, and her wife Natalie opened Loaded Burgers and Fries in the small Welsh town of Gelli/Ton Pentre after Coronavirus forced their marketing company to close during the first Covid Lockdown.

Natalie, aged 41, said that during lockdown, she and Lauren discovered they had limited food delivery options in Rhondda Cynon Taff, and saw an opportunity to set up a business to provide gourmet burgers as well as employ others who had lost their jobs amid the pandemic.

They first rented a small kitchen at a local pub, but there were constant power cuts and so they had to move elsewhere.

Natalie said: “We then later found a premises that was more than we’d budgeted for but decided to take the risk and moved into a bistro. All renovations were done by the local community, and without the help from government grants, we were forced to open as soon as we could.”

They are now successfully running Loaded Burgers and Fries, an upmarket restaurant offering handmade burgers, fried chicken (they currently sell 3 different types all gluten free), hotdogs and loaded fries, cooking with the same meat supplied to five star restaurants in Cardiff. They employ 10 local people.

“We wanted to give more than just great tasting food, to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to be able to dine,” said Natalie. “Big cities are so diverse and inclusive yet, unfortunately, that sort of community is not translated everywhere in the UK. We are the first restaurant in South Wales with gender-neutral toilets.”

She added: “There is little knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community in our area, so people have been more receptive because there are no preconceived notions. We are certainly not just an LGBTQ+ restaurant we are a restaurant that is breaking the mould… helping those who are struggling to feel included to feel empowered and able to pursue their passions.”

Loaded Burgers & Fries also hosts drag performers, musicians, cabaret, and other performances. Natalie said: “We bring amazing diverse performers from all over the UK, from all different backgrounds. We are a community that welcomes people to be their genuine authentic selves.”

When discussing the importance of inclusivity, Natalie said: “Pride is still needed today because so many parts of the community have been underrepresented. The Stonewall riots were headed by a trans person of colour who was a sex worker! Yet there is still a noticeable lack of representation. Parts of our community have been around for many years and we need to remember this and embrace them.”

Natalie believes that it’s simply because schools are playing catch-up. “Schools have been hampered for generations because of section 28 – it was the policy that prevented kids talking about their sexuality, about who and what they are. Government legislation prevents the conversations that safeguard children.”

She added: “The ‘No outsiders program’ taught younger children about the positives of LGBTQ+ community, books like ‘Are You a Boy Or Are You A Girl?’ by Sarah Savidge and Fox Fisher are helping to get those important conversations flowing again. People shouldn’t be frightened, it’s encouraging children to ask questions and accept one another.”

Loaded Burgers and Fries are providing a clean slate to pave the way for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community wanting to inspire others to do the same