As reported by The Press, Cakes d’licious in Clifton Green closed its doors for good.
The tea room owner – Nikki Nelson – has told The Press her reasons for saying goodbye.
“It was just getting harder and harder, costs were going up and up, it felt like treading through treacle,” she said.
“It was really sudden.”
The 55-year-old went on to cite health reasons as an additional pressure to the running of her business.
“For the right person whose got new eyes and lots of energy it could be fantastic again,” she said.
“Unfortunately, for me, I’ve just run out of energy.”
She said one of the hardest parts of the closure was leaving her “amazing” team. “I wish I could’ve said goodbye,” she added.
“It was a very, very, tough decision.”
Like many small business owners, Nikki felt that the pandemic signalled the start of the financial challenges.
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She said: “We were supported to a certain extent, the Government gave us grants and furlough. The support with the takeaways was great.
“Certainly these days people could do with more support.”
Baking has been a part of Nikki’s life for as long as she can remember, recounting the time she made her sister a cake for her second birthday.
“I’ve been doing it since I could stand on a chair at the side of my mother,” she said.
“I remember doing a teddy bear and the head dropped off on the way home.
“I always wanted my own place. It’s in my blood.”
On the future, she said: “I need to catch my breath and think about things, the fact that after 12 years it’s over.
“I think I’d like to carry on making cakes, possibly from home, but it’s too early to say.”
However, the reaction she received on social media after announced the closure was “touching”.
Nikki said: “I can’t believe it, it’s really touching, I’m overwhelmed to be honest.
“I don’t regret doing it, I’ve had jobs but this never felt like going to work. I love people and the community we created.
“We made friends, they weren’t just customers to me.”
