Marco Zeraschi, who owns Marco’s Cafe on Barry Island, where Stacey works in the sitcom, said it was hard to overstate what the programme had done for the resort.
“We’re the envy of many, many seaside resorts around the country,” he said.
“People know who we are now, we’re world famous Barry Island.”
He said it had also changed perceptions for the better.
“Gavin and Stacey is always positive, witty, funny, happy, it shows Barry at its best,” he said.
“It shows it in such a positive way – they see the beach and the prom, people get curious and curiosity is the best thing for tourism.
“They come here, we get busier and we employ more people.”
