Life’s sweet for baker after job offer from confectioner
CAKE MAKER HAS HELPED CITY’S TREAT KITCHEN TO ‘OPEN UP TO A NEW AUDIENCE’
A NOTTINGHAM baker who had to make the difficult decision of closing their business has spoken out about how she’s now living her “happy ending” after a local confectionary company employed her.
As the cost of living continues to rise there has been further emphasis on how important independent businesses are.
Fran Jesson, 30 alongside a business partner opened their multipurpose studio space of retail and a cake-making business last November, Butter+sugar. It was described as a “feel-good” shop which was on Avenue C of Sneinton Market.
Now Fran gets to bake in the same studio on Avenue C after being employed as the Bakery Project Manager for the Treat Kitchen which is based in Victoria Centre. Jess Barnett, the brand director for the Treat Kitchen contacted Fran after she announced the closure of the shop earlier this year.
Fran said: “It was a difficult decision closing Sugarberry and as cliche as it sounds when one door closes another door opens. I had worked with Treat Kitchen before but had I not made the tough decision none of this would have happened.
“Unfortunately, many people don’t get those happy endings.” Fran has now been employed with the Treat Kitchen for just under two months.
She said: “It’s the perfect combination, the two go hand in hand, baking and confectionery.”
Now, Fran has a cake counter in the Treat Kitchen.
Fran added: “It’s amazing, I can’t have wished for anything better. I was sad about the idea of not being at Sneinton Market.
“A focus with my previous business was talking about mental health and when you’re feeling rubbish it’s hard to feel creative but now, I can give as much gusto as possible.”
In September 2022, the Energy Relief Scheme was announced. The government scheme will help some businesses, giving them energy bill discounts.
Fran spoke about whether or not she thought there’s been enough support for businesses. She said: “There isn’t enough support for small businesses, energy bills have hit a lot of people and there was a lot of support over Covid but this [the cost of living] is a domino effect and it impacts everyone. Budgets are tighter and there’s only so much selection some businesses can provide as they can’t afford to have waste.
“Independent businesses are resilient, being in a position where I can be in Sneinton Market in an independent area with little gems is great. Independent businesses need to be celebrated and supported otherwise in a few years, they won’t be here.”
Jess Barnett, brand director, spoke about how Jess has “injected joy” into the Treat Kitchen. Jess, 39, said: “Fran has brought a creative wave to the company in a busy time of year where everyone’s feeling wintery and it’s been wonderful, the baking workshops are going down a storm.” Jess saw Fran’s announcement that she was closing her business on social media.
Jess said: “The environment right now is tough but Fran has injected joy into the company, she’s a fresh pair of eyes and a real asset and has opened us up to a new audience.”
I had worked with Treat Kitchen before but had I not made the tough decision none of this would have happened. Fran Jesson, baker