Shropshire Star

Sweet success! New bakery opens in Telford after outgrowing market stall and winning business grant

A new bakery has opened in Telford after securing a start-up grant from the local council.

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Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room is the first business of its kind to open on the high street in Madeley – offering homemade cakes, a homely place to sit and eat and takeaway drinks and lunches.

The business, which has moved into a unit at Madeley Malls, Russell Square is also a permanent base where bespoke celebration cakes can be ordered, and it opened with help in the form of a start-up grant from Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Our High Street programme.

Owner Leanne Humphries, who has a strong background in the hospitality industry, is well known in Madeley after selling homemade celebration cakes at Madeley Market since 2022.

She said: "I’d outgrown the space at the market stall and the tea rooms will allow me to grow the business – catering for existing customers but welcoming new ones as well.

he Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room team Kerry Brownhill, Sue Price, Leanne Humphries, Karen Heath with Councillor Paul Watling at the opening
The Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room team Kerry Brownhill, Sue Price, Leanne Humphries, Karen Heath with Councillor Paul Watling at the opening

“I want Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room to become the place to go – whether you’re a parent waiting to pick up a child from a dance class, elderly or lonely and just want a chat, or a home worker who wants a nice space to have a meeting with wi-fi.

“The tea room will be inviting and welcoming to all and I’m really grateful for the support I’ve received from the council’s Pride in Our High Street programme to make this move possible -  giving me the chance to have a permanent base in Madeley.”

She added that there will be parents and baby sessions, where new mums can meet, hosted at the tearooms in the future and free wi-fi is available for people wanting to work away from their desks or a change from their home work environment.

Pop-up events including school holiday activities, ‘knit and natter’ evenings and wreath making workshops will also be offered from the unit.

Councillor Ollie Vickers, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: “We’re delighted to support Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room in Madeley – a business which brings something completely new to the town. 

“Our business start-up grants can really help businesses to set up on the high street and the support for this business is a great example of that.

“As well as having a fantastic selection of cakes and menu to choose from, the additional sessions and activities on offer cater for the wider community as a whole.

“Leanne is a local lady with an amazing talent for celebration cakes and we are sure that this tearoom will be a fantastic new addition to Madeley. We look forward to seeing it grow and flourish.”

Sweet Little Things Bakery & Tea Room is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays (9am-4.30pm) initially with extra opening hours added for pop up events.