Fantastical cakes in a quirky setting of fairytales and magic are the signature mark of Westgate’s newest shop.
Little Brown Fairy Cakes in Station Road opened its doors this morning to an eager crowd of customers.
The venture is the creation of cake-maker Nicola Bradshaw who has previously hit the limelight for amazing cake sculptures including a 6ft BFG, Dobbie, John Coffey from the Green Mile and an array of dark, weird and wonderful characters.
The 51-year-old, from Westgate, began Little Brown Fairy Cake some eight years ago after being prompted to find a use for her mum’s baking equipment.
Initially Nicola was a shop worker and she began the Little Brown Fairy Cake company as a part-time venture from home.
But huge demand saw that grow to full-time and now the former Thanet College interior design student has taken on the shop premises.
The shop opened today (February 8) with a ribbon-cutting by popular Westgate residents Lorraine Hambidge and Wilfred Jenkins.
Nicola said: “I had planned to move in during the Summer but that got delayed. I then got the keys just before Christmas.
“The style is vintage/fantasy, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, nothing that matches so eclectic.
“It gives me space to work. The focus is very much the cakes but I am also selling cupcakes and gingerbread men.
“The opening has been overwhelming, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet and is a bit surreal.
“I haven’t stopped, I had to bake more cakes as I ran out at 12pm! It is so exciting that everyone likes it.”
Nicola, who is inspired by her love of horror stories “and everything by Tim Burton” has a busy year ahead. Alongside the shop she is also making her cake creations for two upcoming exhibitions.
She said: “There is one in London in April and that is for Peter Pan and then the Birmingham NEC in November which is Dracula. That’s very exciting as the BBC have given us permission for it to be based on the new series.”
Nicola also features in an upcoming programme on Channel 5 due to be aired this Easter. She makes a horror creation in The Wonderful World of Cake.
Little Brown Fairy Cake at 5 Station Road, Westgate, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9pm to 4pm (6pm on Fridays).