A DOUBLE Olympic swimming champion officially opened the town’s latest coffee shop which has already attracted the attention of celebrity fans.

Located near Penarth’s train station, Training Ground is an independent, locally owned kiosk serving up speciality coffee, tea and snacks.

As part of the Penarth Times’ Your High Street: Use It or Lose It campaign backing the town’s high streets, we took a look at one of the town’s newest businesses.

The brainchild of Penarth’s Olympic swimming star Tom Haffield, it has only just opened its shutters but has already gained celebrity support, with good luck tweets from Alan Carr, Tom Daley, Suzanne Shaw, Joe McElderry and Omar Sharif Jr.

Mr Haffield, 29, has teamed up with property developer Simon Baston of Loftco who are responsible for the ever-popular Tramshed in Cardiff, the award-winning Pumphouse in Barry and have plans in the pipeline for Box City, also in Cardiff.

“We are passionate about coffee and have spared no expense on machinery and equipment and have hired very experienced baristas,” said Mr Haffield. “We have done everything we can to source the best coffee and deliver it consistently to the customer.

“Penarth was the ideal location for us.

“It is a town which has a growing number of independent shops and cafes.

“We are also the only place open so early and so close to the station so you can rely on us to be on hand for your coffee fix.

“We’ve had so much support already, it has been quite overwhelming.”

Becky Adlington – close friend and former teammate of Tom – said: “I’m so proud of what Tom has achieved – in the pool and since retiring from sport plus, I absolutely love a really good coffee and I’m a big supporter of independents on the high street.

“What you can expect from Training Ground is top speciality coffee that won’t disappoint.”

It is hoped that Training Ground is the first in a line of coffee ventures from the duo.

Mr Haffield added: “Loftco have been enormously successful and we hope to follow suit with Training Ground.

“This is our first joint enterprise but we are already planning ahead for the future.”

Since retiring from swimming, Tom has established a swim school that is based at the Celtic Manor. He also mentors young people as a Sky Sport Living for Sport Athlete Mentor.

Training Ground is at Station Approach in Penarth and is open from 6am-12pm, Monday to Saturday.