Where it all began…

Where it all began…

100 Years of 24 High Street, St Davids, Pembrokeshire (Wales)

The City Bakery, 1861

24 High Street, now The Really Wild Emporium, in St Davids, Pembrokeshire (Wales), has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit of David Evans, the City Bakery and grocery business was established in 1861. David purchased the windmill at St Davids (now the Twr-y-Felin Hotel) and by the late 1860s identified a local demand for bread and groceries. Originally, locals would bring their own dough to be baked in his oven for a small fee, but David soon realised it was more profitable to bake and sell the bread himself! So, the City Bakery was born, operating behind 26 High Street – the building now occupied by Oaks Veterinary Surgery and fronted by recently closed Susan’s Hairdresser.

The City Bakery and Grocers Shop, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales

 

Expand and adapt

David Evans’ son, Henry Nash, joined the business as an apprentice in 1899 and later took over. By 1913, Henry married David’s daughter, Margaretta, and the couple expanded the business with a tea and coffee room in a glass conservatory at the back of the bakery. They installed modern steam-heated ovens, to help meet increasing demand. In 1924, Henry expanded again by building an impressive new grocery shop next to the original premises (where The Really Wild Emporium now stands), which continued to serve the community. The new shop included a first-floor tea room, where patrons could enjoy refreshments while overlooking the bustling High Street.

Post-war awards

The bakery continued to thrive, particularly after World War II. David Nash, Henry’s son, took over the business during the war, having trained as a baker in Cardiff. Under his leadership, City Bakery flourished, becoming a central part of St Davids’ commercial life. The bakery sold a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meats, household goods, and, of course, freshly baked bread, cakes, and pastries. It was a cornerstone of local commerce, with personalised service offered by a dedicated team of assistants. In 1951, David won a silver medal at the Festival of Britain Bakery and Confectionary Exhibition for an intricate model of St Davids Cathedral made from icing sugar! 

David Nash’s model of St Davids Cathedral made from icing sugar

Challenges and competition

However, the 1960s brought new challenges… Competition from mass-produced bread and the rise of supermarkets led to a decline in the bakery’s bread sales. In 1965, David Nash made the difficult decision to close the grocery section of the business. The ground floor space was converted into a restaurant, named the Atlantic Grill, which became a popular local eatery. The upstairs area was also turned into a guest house, St Brides House, and the family refocused their efforts on running the nearby Glan-y-Mor Private Hotel.

In 1974, the Nash family sold the business, turning their attention fully to the hotel and associated operations. The Atlantic Grill itself changed hands multiple times in the following years and eventually became part of a community care initiative (‘Care in the Community’).  

Today

Today, the legacy of City Bakery lives on in the historical buildings of St Davids, a testament to the entrepreneurial vision of the Evans and Nash families, whose business once played such an important role in the life of the town. Throughout 2019 and the years that followed, the iconic Art Deco fronted building of 24 High Street, was reinvigorated, repurposed and renamed The Really Wild Emporium! It still reflects, after 100 years, the history and entrepreneurial spirit of the city and the rich natural environment in which we live…and long may it continue to do so!

Written by John Mansfield