Election Apathy in Maesteg
With just five weeks remaining before the Senedd elections in Wales, the usual political excitement has yet to reach Maesteg's busy high street.
"It's not something that I follow to be honest,"said Cullen Kinsella, owner of Blue Pearl fish and chips.
University student Jess Griffiths, waiting in line at a newly opened salad bar, expressed uncertainty about the election but confirmed she intended to vote.
"I'm not 100% sure, but I do vote... I'll have a little read up about it,"she said.
Also in line was Julie Evans, who cares for her husband and disabled grandson. She plans to vote but has lost trust in politicians.
"Only turned up when they want promote something,"she said, reflecting a common sentiment among locals.
Cost of Living Concerns Dominate
Conversations with shoppers and business owners reveal that the rising cost of essentials, such as groceries, is a primary concern ahead of the 7 May election, mirroring trends seen elsewhere in Wales.
These financial pressures are influencing shopping habits.
"[Customers] are more savvy,"said Hayley Morgan, owner of Go Bananas greengrocers.
"They do come in and just buy two or three things and they look for little bargains."
Hayley noted a shift toward purchasing loose produce—single apples or bananas—rather than larger pre-packaged quantities.
"If you want to do a fruit salad for yourself you can just buy one of each [and] you haven't got to buy a bag full and throw half in the bin,"she explained.
She also observed rising costs for items like tomatoes and peppers, attributing this to increased oil prices.
Changing Spending Patterns at the Butcher
Butcher Andrew Garner, who has run his family business for 28 years, has noticed shifts in customer behavior.
"I'm selling a lot of sausage,"he said.
"It's busy towards the end of the month when people are getting paid."
Andrew also remarked on the prevalence of cash payments, interpreting this as an indication that customers are carefully monitoring their spending.
"Once the money's gone it's gone and they can't just keep tapping on their cards,"he said.
He confirmed his intention to vote but expressed skepticism about political change.
"Can it be any worse?"he laughed.
Constituency Changes and Economic Challenges
Since the establishment of Wales' parliament in 1999, Maesteg was part of the Ogmore constituency, a Welsh Labour stronghold. However, constituency boundaries have been redrawn for this election.
Maesteg now falls within the newly formed Afan Ogwr Rhondda constituency, which has a population of 194,083. This area has the highest proportion of primary and secondary pupils eligible for free school meals and the highest economic inactivity rate in Wales.
Local Skepticism Toward Politicians
Some residents doubt the Welsh Parliament's ability to improve Maesteg's situation.
Barbara Farmer, a retired catering business owner, expressed frustration with politicians.
"They [politicians] do tend to see us as the poorer area because we're up in the mountains, up in the valleys,"she said while shopping at Go Bananas.
Barbara has not yet decided whom to vote for.
"Because a lot of them lie, basically,"she stated.
"I'm not saying they deliberately lie, they've got good intentions, but they don't seem to carry it out."
Hayley Morgan expressed doubts about the value of the Welsh Parliament.
"It's another tier of politics that takes a lot of money and what do they get done? Who knows,"she said.
"I don't know whether [devolution] was a good thing, but we've got to live with it, haven't we."
Luxury Purchases Amid Financial Strain
Despite rising living costs, not all residents are reducing spending.
Michael Newth, who has operated KMP Jewellers for 50 years, noted an increase in customers purchasing gold as an investment.
"Where I used to sell lots and lots of the smaller items, I sell a lot less now. But when I do sell things they're of a greater value,"he said.
He also pointed out the continued presence of new cars on the roads as evidence that some people still buy expensive items.
Although his own business expenses have increased, the 77-year-old has resisted retirement.
"With Maesteg people, I think if they were down to their last pound they'd lend you 50p of it, that's the type of people in Maesteg.
[The business is] not about the money, it's about the camaraderie I've had with the people in Maesteg for all these years. It's a pleasure to come to work."
New Businesses Thrive Despite Challenges
Support from local residents has enabled new businesses to succeed.
Joanne and Charlie Bruford, mother and daughter from Cardiff, recently opened Delicious, a pasta and salad takeaway in Maesteg. Their Thursday lunchtime customers were queuing out the door.
"We've been a sell-out since Saturday, every day,"Joanne said with enthusiasm.
"This has been my dream since I was 16, but I never had the guts to go ahead and do it [before]."
Opening during a cost of living crisis felt risky, but business has been strong.
"We're trying to keep our costs down but this week peppers and tomatoes are a lot more expensive than last week,"Joanne explained.
Regarding the election, she expressed cautious optimism.
"I lived in hope"she said, hoping for positive change.
Personal Struggles Amid Rising Costs
Julie Evans visited Delicious to buy a takeaway to cheer her salad-loving grandson after a dental appointment.
She cares for her husband, who has dementia, and her eight-year-old autistic, nonverbal grandson. Living on a pension amid rising costs has forced her to make cutbacks.
"Less heating, trying to budget meals. I plan meals a week in advance, what I'm buying and what I'm not so that I can afford to get what they want,"she said.
She noted that leisure activities have become less frequent.
"Fun days out are becoming less and less,"she said.
"We've been on just one holiday in the past six years."
Julie described the emotional toll of her situation.
"It depresses you because it's the same thing day in, day out and you don't get away from it so that's the hard part,"she said.
"I don't get respite, I'm in zombie mode, it's difficult."
When asked if she believed the election could bring change, she was doubtful.
"[Change is] promised by every party and delivered by none, so what do you do?"
Election Information and Public Concerns
The deadline for candidate nominations is 9 April. A full list of candidates will be available on the website.
Many people across Wales have contacted BBC Your Voice expressing concerns about cost of living pressures, including rising oil prices and increasing bills.
