So we thought it would be a good place to start and trial some cheese ageing," reminisced one of Wales' most celebrated cheesemakers about her initial days on the high street of Blaenavon town that locals believe has yet to flourish despite its world heritage status and potential for economic transformation.
Susan's unique cheeses have attracted gourmands globally, but in 2021, National Museum Wales delivered a blow: she was informed that she could no longer use the mine for aging her cheese due to health and safety concerns and "difficult business decisions" that had arisen.
UK town where people live to just 54 that was 'once a masterpiece loved around the world' For a decade and a half, Susan Fiander-Woodhouse has been maturing her prize-winning cheeses in an old mine near her shop.
"I love Blaenavon," Susan told WalesOnline from her shop on Broad Street, which now seems a far cry from its portrayal at the heritage centre as a "busy commercial centre serving the needs of an industrial community".
When we got world heritage status in 2000 there was a lot of excitement, but it didn't bring the prosperity people thought it would.
