Sweet success for Sheffield cake and sandwich shop set up during lockdown

One of those success stories is Fenlon’s Butties and Sugar Treats on White Lane in Gleadless Townend, which was opened by owner Laura Fenlon five weeks ago.

The former McColl’s cashier went self-employed last September after completing a patisserie course at Sheffield College, with the mum-of-five making and selling cakes from home during lockdown.

She had taken a look at her current premises before the pandemic began, and once restrictions began being eased over the summer, took the plunge and bought the lease.

Laura currently employs two staff and is looking to take on one more, with the 32-year-old saying she is ‘really pleased’ with how her fledgling business has taken off.

She said: “We are doing pretty good I think - we opened five weeks ago and things are going well so far.

“At home it just went crazy during lockdown. Cheesecakes were flying out of the door!

“I just thought it would be nice to hear that there are success stories out there for anyone who is thinking of setting up a business.”

Laura admitted she hasn’t done it alone, however, and thanked all those who had helped her thus far.

“My brother is a joiner and a friend is an electrician so after I’d bought the lease I just got loads of family and friends involved to redo the shop,” she said.

“As well as cakes we sell sandwiches and baked potatoes and we’ve got both inside and outside seating areas. It’s really nice.”

Laura says she owes her success the training she received at Sheffield College, where she did a level 3 patisserie course while working at McColl’s.

She said: “My teacher at college just gave me so much confidence. He threw you in at the deep end but he was amazing.”

“When I was working at McColl’s I just wanted to do my cakes and I’m really glad I did.”

To find out more about courses at Sheffield College, visit www.sheffcol.ac.uk/courses.

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