Lower Bar in Newport is fast becoming a wedding supplies hotspot after the arrival of Diane Grigsby’s Cake Academy.
The new shop, which opens on Tuesday, will specialise in bespoke wedding cakes and accessories.
It joins a group of bridal stores, including specialist dress shop Renaissance and wedding car suppliers Chauffeured Classic Cars.
Proprietor Mrs Grigsby said: “We’re building up quite a little wedding village down that end of town.
“If might be a bit difficult being at the bottom of town, but it’s a niche market so I hope that people who are preparing for a wedding will make the effort to come down.
“And having Renaissance and Chauffeured Classic Cars so close can only help as people can go from one to the other.”
The store, on the corner with Salters Lane, will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, or by appointment.
As well as making wedding cakes, the small store will also sell local produce including homemade pickles and pastries in its Shropshire Pantry section.
Mrs Grigsby, formerly a food technology teacher for over 20 years, has previous business acumen having run a successful London restaurant.
The Newport resident ran the Ballam eatery for 10 years with her late husband and she has also managed a string of hotels.
She added: “It’s pretty terrifying getting it all up and running, but it’s all sorted now and very exciting.
“It’s all unique stuff and everything is handmade, so I’m confident that it will be a success.
“In the past I’ve had to go to Oakengates for things for wedding cakes, so I know that there will be demand for it in Newport.
“This is what I love doing and I can’t wait.”
The fledgling business has wasted no time in setting up a website which can be viewed at www.thecakeacademy.co.uk.
