Business spotlight: Meet Emma and Mike from Plump Cakes Retro Tearoom

Emma and Mike set up Plump Cakes Retro Tearoom in July 2022. Cwmbran Life is putting the spotlight on independent businesses in and around the area. Covid has been a challenge for businesses so this is a chance to think about where you spend your money.

Research by Keeping it Local said when you spend a £1 with a small/medium-sized business around 63p remains in the local economy. Only 40p stays local when you shop with larger businesses. The money you spend locally is circulated through local businesses helping them to grow.

Every business owner has a story to tell. We spoke to Emma and Mike and asked them a few questions.

What is your business?

We are a Retro Tearoom where you can come and enjoy light lunches such as omelets, toasties and sandwiches, at affordable prices, breakfast (toast, crumpets, tea cakes or cereals). Our homemade sweet treats (cupcakes, brownies, old school sponge, jam and coconut) to name a few. We have the good old Ice-Cream Sundae and Coke Float along with Milkshakes, tea and coffee. We have a loyalty card where you get a stamp every time you come in and buy from us. When you have filled your card you get a free cup of tea or coffee and a cupcake as a thank you. We also do celebration cakes and cupcakes which we started doing in 2016. People have come back to us again and again as they say we are value for money, tasty food and the cakes taste really good too.

Why did you want to work for yourself?

Plump Cakes started life in 2016 when Emma took over making the family cakes from Mike. She enjoyed seeing people enjoying them so much the business was born. Emma was very ill during the lockdown but got through it, thankfully. We decided then that we should give working for ourselves a go properly so we gave up our jobs and concentrated on Plump Cakes. People thought we were mad doing it during these tough times but you have to do things when they come along.

What are the best things about running a business and what are the challenges? How have you overcome the challenges?

The best thing about running your own business is not having anyone to answer too, you call the shots. Even though it is very daunting starting out it is also very satisfying knowing you did it yourselves. We love baking and we love seeing people enjoy what we make. Just cakes wasn’t enough anymore so that is why we expanded into the tearoom.

The challenges of running your own business are not having anyone to fall back on and that everything you do is down to you and no one else. Trying to get your business noticed is also a challenge but one we are pushing through every day. We do have bad days where you bake at all times, even after coming home from the tea room, but you look back at all the happy customers and it gets you through.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a business?

I would say look into everything beforehand. Do your homework, get help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and everything will fall into place.