Jess Doe is the owner of PUDDIN cakery in Thetford, which opens today. Here, she explains how she has managed to go from a stall in the local church to a shop on the high street, thanks to a grant from Breckland Council
Cake fans from across Norfolk might be excited to hear PUDDIN cakery is opening its first shop in Thetford, after receiving grant support from Breckland Council. The funding has enabled PUDDIN, which specialises in buttercream cakes, bakes and more, to transfer from being based at owner Jess Doe’s home to a business on the high street. As part of the Breckland Council ‘Meanwhile’ Project, PUDDIN has received just under £10,000 in grant support to help launch its shop in the town.
The funding will help cover rent for the first few months, pay for shop fittings and support exterior renovations. The cakery opens to the public today (February 10), offering homemade cakes, slices, cupcakes, old school bakes, and cookies..
Jess had started out with a CakesByMe pop up stall at Cloverfield Community Church, before converting a horsebox and establishing The Pudding Shack in 2021.
She says: ‘I am thrilled to be opening PUDDIN as a cakery! It feels like only yesterday we were setting up our first stall at our local church and now we’re preparing to open our very first shop! Breckland Council were the catalyst for us finding the perfect unit and the council’s support has been invaluable, none of this would be happening without their help. I am beyond grateful to have received so much support from local people too, I cannot wait to get the doors open and start serving our delicious cakes and bakes.’
Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council, adds: ‘It can be challenging for business entrepreneurs to make the leap to the high street, which is why our Meanwhile Project can make a real difference. The grant funding we’ve provided alongside business advice will help this business take the next step while also filling a vacant unit, which helps our towns continue to thrive. I am delighted to see PUDDIN open on the high street, driven by Jess and her fantastic entrepreneurial spirit and wonderful bakes and I wish her the very best of luck in her new venture!’
Visit PUDDIN cakery on Facebook. PUDDING opens today (February 10), from 10am-3pm. The shop will be open Valentine’s Day, 10am-2pm, with a full Valentine’s themed cake counter. Businesses and landlords can find out more about the Meanwhile project at www.breckland.gov.uk/business-support/meanwhile-grant
Featured images, supplied by Breckland Council and Jess Doe
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