Black Bull Farmshop wins Mold Community Award less than a year after launch
Richard Watts and Nicola Chamberlain were at a family wedding in New Zealand when Mold Town Council named their farm shop Business of the Year.
The couple joined the 2026 Mold Community Awards ceremony by video call from the other side of the world, while their award was collected in person by Bethan and Gareth Francis from Glyndwr Pies on their behalf.
The Black Bull Farm Shop, based in the Mold Indoor Market on the Daniel Owen Precinct, had been open for six months.
Richard is not a new face in Mold.
Around two years ago he began trading as “Mad Moo,” serving burgers from a market stall every Wednesday and Saturday.
He used the stall to do more than sell food, using social media to promote local events and businesses and encourage shoppers to support Mold’s independent traders.
In September 2025, Richard and his fiancée Nicola, known as Nicky, opened the Black Bull Farm Shop at the Indoor Market.
The shop stocks Welsh cheeses, traditionally baked goods including Welsh pies, locally roasted coffee, preserves, chutneys, oils, honey and seasonal vegetables, sourcing directly from Welsh producers.
Richard said the award reflected the people around them rather than the business alone.
“Winning this award after only seven months is an incredible honour,” he said.
“We started this journey with a simple goal: to bring the best of the Welsh countryside into the heart of Mold.
“This award belongs to our wonderful customers and the local Welsh producers who make what we do possible.”
Mold Town Council said Richard and Nicky were “deeply embedded in the community,” appearing regularly on local radio and actively promoting other local businesses.
Richard also leads the newly formed Mold Independent Steering Group, which brings independent traders together to help shape the town’s retail offer.
The council noted that Richard had overcome significant personal challenges, including homelessness and serious illness, while building the business and raising a young family.
Mold is the county town of Flintshire and the Indoor Market has been part of its town centre for decades.
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