Trendy treats make Cramlington mum into entrepreneur

Posted by The Journal on Mar 11, 09 08:39 AM in News

A mother of three is looking to benefit from the rising popularity of cupcakes in the UK after setting up her own baking company, which she hopes to roll out in the North East.

Alison Kelly from Cramlington with some of her Cake-Cake-Cakes

Alison Kelly, of Cramlington, set up Cake-Cake-Cakes after making birthday cakes for her three children and now believes the business has the potential to become a franchise model.

The former designer believes there is a market for the fashionable cakes and started creating her own versions with the help of her children Thomas, seven, Daniel, six, and Aimee, two, and husband David.

After a quick take-up of the treats from wedding and birthday planners, she branched into the corporate market by providing cupcakes to the offices of Northumberland County Council and now plans to work with firms in the private sector.

She is currently making the treats at home, but hopes to open a second site to make and deliver the cakes farther afield.

She believes the business has the potential to become a successful franchise, much like US doughnut franchise Krispy Kreme, which is a success in London.

She said: "Cupcakes are just massive in the States, but there was just a gaping market in the UK. Even though I knew they would be popular, I was surprised at how quickly we have been able to grow the business."

Flavours include Monkey Business, a banana cake with cream cheese frosting; Very Berry, a fruity cake with Madagascar vanilla, and The Buzz, a chocolate cake with espresso.

Alison said: "The kids like to help out but now things have gotten serious, they are kept away most of the time for health and safety reasons.

"Now they are fed up of cakes because they have had so many, which is definitely a good thing."

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