SUPERSIZE OATCAKES TASTE JUST HEAVENLY!

New owner at popular shop

THE new owner of an oatcake shop famed for serving up supersized versions of everyone’s favourite treat doesn’t plan to change a thing.

Chris Smith has taken over Oatcake Heaven, in Newcastle, from Kerry and Pauline Morris who put the business up for sale last September. The 32-year-old, from Weston Coyney, knows all about the Staffordshire oatcake. He co-owns London Road Oatcakes with his brother after they bought it off their dad, Gary Smith. Chris said: “My dad owned that one before

us for about 12 years and we bought it off him about two years ago.

“We’ve not set it on fire just yet! It’s doing alright but I didn’t think I’d have another shop so soon.”

As well as running two oatcake shops, Chris is a personal trainer at True Grit in Hanley.

Oatcakes are a staple part of his diet and he says he’s never been in better shape.

His go-to order is bacon and cheese, with an egg added if he’s in the mood.

He said: “I have probably about three a week and I’m in the best shape of my life at the minute.

“As long as you are monitoring what you eat it’s fine. I’ve got a photoshoot booked in two weeks’ time so I must be doing something right.”

Kerry and Pauline – who decided to quit to take up new jobs - were showing Chris the ropes last week before the handover.

Chris doesn’t plan to make any changes and has been warned to not mess with the recipe.

He also has no plans to take supersized oatcakes off the menu.

Oatcake fanatic Steve Tunstall, 66, from Stoke, was buying oatcakes for his colleagues visiting from Birmingham.

He says they’re fascinated by the Stokie delicacy.

Steve said: “I’m glad it’s still here as they do the supersized one. I’ve eaten oatcakes all my life. I think I might have been born with an oatcake in my hand!”