The Background
Case Café is a family-run, community-focused coffee business based in Bedwas, South Wales. co-founded by Gareth Kedward, Dan Lowther and Ian Benbow, following Ian’s earlier work establishing Case-UK, a social enterprise that delivers both mental and physical health services across the UK.
Case Café grew out of this work. The idea was to create a friendly, approachable way to connect with people, starting with a single mobile coffee van that visited local businesses and events. The van served coffee but also acted as a point of contact for anyone needing information or support.
Since then, the business has expanded to include three mobile coffee vans, a permanent café in Bedwas, and a fixed location inside the YMCA, Barry.
The café has quickly become a valued space in the local area. It hosts regular live music and comedy nights, two pool teams, three darts teams and serves as a clubhouse for local football clubs. The café has built a loyal base of regulars who drop in daily, and has even developed its own signature coffee blend in partnership with independent Welsh roasters Big Dog Coffee.
The Requirements
To support the continued growth of the business, Ian, Gareth, Dan and the team needed finance in two key areas:
- Asset finance to expand their mobile fleet from one van to three. This would allow them to serve more businesses, events and communities.
- Working capital to fund the development of a new mezzanine level in the café. This space would offer modern facilities for professionals and community groups, with the convenience of refreshments from the café and free parking on site.
The new upstairs area includes:
- A 24-person boardroom
- An 8-person meeting room
- Office and hot desk space for small businesses, remote workers and freelancers
True to their values, the team made a conscious effort to source locally. All tradespeople involved in the build were based in the local area. Materials were sourced where possible from nearby suppliers, including wood from the Merthyr Institute for the Blind. The space also features murals by local artists, one celebrating the area’s colliery history and another featuring Ian during his football days at Hereford FC.
The Solution
Hexa Finance worked with the team to deliver a funding package that matched the needs of the business as it grew:
- Asset finance was arranged for the two additional coffee vans, helping the team expand their mobile offering and meet increased demand.
- Working capital was secured to complete the fit-out of the new café space, including furnishings and equipment for the boardroom, meeting room and hot desk areas.
By working closely with Ian, we were able to identify the right finance options and connect him with lenders who understood the value of the business and its role in the local community.
The Feedback
Ian Benbow, co-founder of Case Café, said:
“Hexa played a key role in helping us grow the business. They supported us with the funding we needed to purchase our additional coffee vans, which allowed us to reach more people across the region. More recently, they helped us access the working capital required to develop the new mezzanine level in the café. That space has been a really important addition, enabling us to offer meeting rooms and workspace that serve both local businesses and community groups.
“Working with Hexa has been straightforward from day one. Sharon and the team took the time to understand what we were trying to achieve and came back with solutions that made sense for us. It was important to us to work with another Welsh business that shares our values, and we’ve really appreciated how approachable and supportive they’ve been throughout.”
Sharon Bromage, Senior Growth Advisor at Hexa Finance, added:
“Case Café is a great example of a business that’s grown while staying true to its values. Ian, Gareth, Dan and the team have been thoughtful in every decision, from using local trades and materials to creating a space that brings people together and supports other small businesses.
“It’s been a pleasure to help them access the funding needed to make those plans a reality. At Hexa, we focus on building long-term relationships with clients who are having a real impact in their communities. We’re proud to have supported Case Café on their journey and are excited to see what they do next.”
Find out more
If your business is looking for practical financial solutions, Hexa Finance is here to help. Get in touch here to discover how the team supports businesses with smart, flexible finance solutions, including refinancing, invoice finance facilities, and strategic funding advice tailored to your goals.