New café in Blyth town centre is icing on the cake for Jemma

The attraction of fresh, home-made food and plenty of tasty treats was too much to resist when Blyth Mayor Warren Taylor became the first customer at a new cake and ice cream parlour in the town.
From left, Jemma Gillespie, Mel Jackson, Coun Warren Taylor and Neil Brown.From left, Jemma Gillespie, Mel Jackson, Coun Warren Taylor and Neil Brown.
From left, Jemma Gillespie, Mel Jackson, Coun Warren Taylor and Neil Brown.

Jemma Gillespie, from Blyth, gained a Bachelor of Arts in childhood youth and family studies at Cumbria University and after graduation decided she wanted to follow her dream of starting her own cake business.

Inspired by other food traders, she took a stall at Newcastle’s Sunday Quayside Market and quickly gained a reputation for quality and originality with her culinary talents.

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The 35-year-old, a mother to three daughters aged three to 15, contacted Blyth Town Council and received help and advice about her plans from its events co-ordinator Mel Jackson. She also met Northumberland County Council’s markets manager Neil Brown, who helped her with regular pitches at Blyth, Morpeth and Ashington markets.

As demand for her cakes grew, she opened a shop in Wallsend and her latest venture is Once Upon A Tier in Blyth’s Regent Street.

The café offers a host of hot and cold refreshments to eat in or take away, and a range of quality ice creams.

Jemma said: “I feel so incredibly proud to have come this far and, as well as Mel and Neil, I also owe thanks to my customers from all across Northumberland and the north east.

“I will still continue to trade on Blyth market every Friday to serve visitors who may only be in the area for this market.”