Burnley: Cuppa Cake closes amid cost of living crisis

Cuppa Cake, in Standish Street, is no longer accepting orders and is in the process of selling off remaining produce, equipment and assets.

Owner Cheryl Jackson said she couldn’t keep up with the cost of living crisis, which has caused her monthly food and energy bills to double.

She said: “It’s losing money and I can afford to keep losing money week after week.

“As prices have increased, every week has been quieter and quieter as people cut back.  I just can’t compete with supermarket prices.”

Cuppa Cake owner Cheryl Jackson (middle) with Cuppa Cake staff with £120 cheque, raised from sponsored walk up Pendle Hill (Image: Cheryl Jackson)

As an example, Cheryl said eggs used to be 6p each but this has increased to 47p. 

She said: “I’ve actually found that it’s cheaper to buy butter from Marks and Spencer than my regular wholesalers.

“I tried to keep costs down and raised prices in October.

“But at this rate I will need to charge £4 a cupcake to make a profit and no one will pay those prices.”

Cheryl Jackson (second from right) with Cuppa Cake staff on opening day (Image: Cheryl Jackson)

As well as the cost of living, the council also announced a road outside the shop would be closed for several months, which “sealed the decision” for Cheryl.

Cheryl said the decision to cease trading was “heartbreaking” but is grateful to have “lived [her] dream” even if it was just for two years.

After being made redundant, Cheryl launched her home business in 2014 with just £50 in her bank. She opened the shop two years ago.

She said: “Opening a cake shop was all I ever wanted and I lived my dream. I am fortunate in a way as some people never get to experience their dream.

A wedding cake Cheryl made for free, after bride and groom could no longer afford it (Image: Cheryl Jackson)

“It’s heartbreaking as I have worked so hard for eight years to build my name up and now I have to sell everything off.

“I don’t know if I have the energy to start from scratch again but it is time for a new challenge.”

Cheryl says thinks is an industry-wide problem that is likely to impact other businesses.

She said: “I think this is the situation we are all in now and we all have to get on with it and make the best of it.

“But I do take some solace in the fact that it’s not down to my bad management or cakes, it’s just the time we are living through at the moment.

“It’s a scary world and I am now unemployed and looking for a job.

“I want to thank all of my customers. I have met some lovely people and made friends for life.

“I don’t regret a second of it, it has been an adventure I just wish it had lasted a little while longer.”