Crafty bakers set to retire after 35 years
BBCA cake business is set to close after more than three decades following the owners' decision to hang up their aprons.
Sally Churcher and Amanda Harris have successfully run Crafty Cakes in Woolston, Southampton, for 35 years.
They have never had a website and every order is still written on paper.
The pair, who are both retiring on Saturday, even took joint maternity leave after falling pregnant at the same time.
"We had to close for four months. We put a notice in the door saying we are expanding," joked Ms Churcher.
Every cake has been handmade and decorated, with children's TV characters always proving popular.
"When we first started it was the ninja turtles and Ghostbusters. Now it's Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig," Ms Harris said.
The pair said back in 1990 the shop was an immediate success.
"We didn't even think that it wouldn't be, it didn't cross our minds.
"We've got a really good team going on, we're like a well-oiled machine. We can get 20 cakes done in a day, easily," they agreed.
Electricity prices almost forced them to close a few years ago and they have seen an increase in competition with more people baking at home.
"We are sad, it's walking away from a way of life. But we've absolutely loved it. Sometimes you've got to know when to stop," they said.
"I'm not going to do any more," said Ms Harris. "Even for my son's birthday or my daughter's birthday... no."
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