South Shields baker turning passion into full-time job with five-figure funding

A South Tyneside baker and entrepreneur has turned a hobby into a livelihood with the help of a five-figure investment fund from the North East Small Loan Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund.

Leanne Cummings set up dessert delivery service Elsie’s Kitchen 18 months ago, making different cakes and puddings in her South Shields home, and she has since expanded her range to include savoury products and dinners.

The concept is said to have proven popular and Leanne has now decided to give up her job as a housing officer in March 2020 to concentrate full-time on developing her catering business.

She has worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to secure a £25k investment, which she will use to kit out and open a new shop on Westoe Road in South Shields in the spring, and take on new staff to help meet customer demand.

Elsie’s Kitchen is now also providing catering for a growing number of events across South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Gateshead after Leanne received a huge amount of positive feedback for the food she made for her own engagement party.

Leanne said: “Baking and cookery were always just a hobby, but the response I’ve had over the last 18 months has given me the confidence to turn this passion for food into a full-time business.

“Old school cakes like rainbow sponge, jam and coconut and Angel Delight crispy cake have tended to be my best-sellers so far, but I’m open to whatever customers want me to make and the new shop will give us the space we need to expand our menu.

“Event catering wasn’t something I’d really considered until I got such great comments about the food I’d prepared for my own party, and since then, that side of the business has really taken off.”

The loan is designed to assist with the creation of over 1,200 new regional jobs in more than 320 SMEs over the life of the fund.

Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, added: “Turning your hobby into a successful business is a dream for a lot of people, and Leanne has the skills, ideas and resources to make Elsie’s Kitchen an even greater success.”

The overarching North East Fund will provide financial support for more than 600 businesses, creating around 3,500 jobs and delivering a legacy of up to £80m for further investment into the region.