Melin Llynon

Now the windmill has been restored to full working order, Richard has his sights set on producing flour in the mill. Although the plans are still underway, Richard hopes to eventually grow his own grain and mill it into flour on site.

Full restoration of the mill was undertaken by Isle of Anglesey County Council, but Richard also took out an additional £23,000 loan with the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme to complete final touches to the restoration work, including re-hiring the former miller at Melin Llynon. Previously employed by the council from 1999 until the mill paused operation in 2016, Richard took it upon himself to re-employ the miller.

Discussing the restoration, Richard said: “It was a really special and unique challenge to take on the windmill, but our business endeavours have proved more successful than we could have ever imagined. We started out with a small initial loan from the British Business Bank in 2019, and we’ve managed to keep expanding ever since. It was due to the popularity the mill gained during lockdown that the council agreed to restore the mill, otherwise it may have ceased all operation. Now it’s complete, we’re going to ensure it remains in working order, hence taking out this additional finance to support the maintenance of the mill going forward.”

With a total of 15 employees, Richard explains how the business is a whole family affair: “Everyone close to me is involved with the business, from both of my parents, my fiancé, my future mother-in-law, my sister, and even our former postman who is now a doughnut chef!

“We’ve created a wonderful lifestyle at the mill, surrounded by family and supported by local businesses, it doesn’t ever feel like just a job, it’s a way of life.”

Starting his cheffing career in Anglesey at the age of 20, Richard travelled across the UK working and volunteering at top restaurants in Cheltenham, Cumbria and London, learning the art of chocolate making and patisserie, before returning to Llanddeusant six years later. Richard will now remain the leaseholder for another 50 years and hopes Melin Llynon continues to thrive and grow in that time.

Jessica Phillips-Harris, Senior Manager for Wales at the British Business Bank said: