Funding the perfect recipe as cake shop reopens

A new franchise of the UK’s largest egg-free cake company, Cake Box, has reopened in Wellingborough, safe-guarding the future of five jobs, with the support of five-figure funding from NatWest.

Former retail employee Shruti Prashar has used the funding package from NatWest to part fund the franchise and leased premises and equipment needed to decorate the cakes on site.

Cake Box Wellingborough originally opened before the current Covid-19 lockdown at the Swans Gate Shopping Centre but had to shut soon after due to government guidelines. Now, as lockdown measures ease, it has re-opened with all five employees returning to work.

Founded in 2008, Cake Box opened its first store in East London with a mission to provide the UK market with a new cake concept which is completely egg-free, as well as offering an on-demand service. It now operates more than 130 stores and franchises across the UK and will supply the Wellingborough store with the fresh ingredients needed to make the cakes in-store and to order.

Prashar said: “Owning my own business has been a dream for many years and to have the chance to do something which includes my love for cakes, has really helped make this a reality. NatWest has been instrumental in helping me secure the funding for the leased premises and equipment needed to launch Cake Box Wellingborough. The team’s help and support has been invaluable.”

Majid Shabir, relationship manager at NatWest, said: “Shruti is extremely passionate about making this business a success and by purchasing a franchise of Cake Box, she is bringing a unique and exciting concept to Wellingborough and creating new jobs in the process. I look forward to working with her and the team in the future as the business grows.”