Barry Island has never been the same since Gavin and Stacey first appeared on our screens in 2007 now 16 years on its impact on the seaside town has been immense.
Everywhere you go in Barry something recognisable from the series stands out. From Nessa’s Slots to Marco’s Café, even Gwen and Bryn’s houses on Trinity Street-Something will catch fan’s eyes.
Excitement is now higher than ever, with filming scheduled to start at any minute. Only Yesterday, Glenda Kenyon’s belongings were taken from her Trinity Street property to make room for existing film set.
Barry District and News checked in with Barry Island Locals and visitors to see how fans have been impacted by the last ever episode.
Marco Zeraschi of Marco’s Café which features in the show understands the cultural impact the show has had on the town and his business- He said:
“Every time they come down here, there’s always a boom and when they leave there’s still a boom because when you mention Barry Island people say Gavin and Stacey, which is fantastic we love it’s an ingredient in a recipe.
“So, you add that ingredient into the recipe it makes Barry Island better-we get an influx of a lot of tourism and it’s not just local it’s international”
Marco Expressed his feelings about the last episode:
“It’s a double-edged sword this one I can’t wait to see them all again, but it’s coming to an end -I did have a message of one of the cast and they said Marco all good things have got to come to an end.”
Claire Whalley owns Barry Island Spirits Co she’s celebrating the final ever episode with a new Gin dedicated to the show:
Claire Said: “We love Gavin and Stacy we are huge fans, and we’ve lived on the island for nearly 20 years now- When we found out that the final episode of Gavin and Stacey was coming out, we wanted to do something to commemorate it.”
“What better way to celebrate the final edition of Gavin and Stacey than to raise a glass of Barry Island Gin to toast the wedding maybe not the wedding-and our shop is just around the corner from Trinity Street.
Uncle Bryn also Approves!
“Rob Brydon came to see us on the weekend, and he’s seen a bottle, and he really likes it. We’ve got his thumbs up and that’s good enough for us.”
John Woods from Dinas Powys call himself real life Gavin: “We always watch it, especially the Christmas specials, -I’m from London, I met a Welsh Lady, and the Welsh Lady moved up to London, we lived up there for 8 years and the I moved back down to Wales.”
Jo Murray from Barry said: “I’ve lived in London for a long time, and I used to have to explain to people where Barry was and then since Gavin and Stacey I just say-Oh I’m from Barry.”
Neil O’Grady from Essex said: “I love it-I think it’s put Barry on the map, I live just outside Billericay actually, -Would I have come before, before the show probably not.”
Olivia Rees and Kelly Underwood from Birmingham wanted to know an important question: “Are they getting married?”
“Our favourite line is from Smithy- ‘How many Nurofen would it take to finish me off -Actually I can’t I’ve got a holiday booked.’”
Kirsty Lily from Hereford said, “I’d never been to Barry Island before actually, and part of the reason we’d came is because we’d seen it on Gavin and Stacey.”
The feeling seems to be universal-fans can’t wait for the final episode!
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