Cakeaholics boosts customer numbers through Digital Support Programme

Cakeaholics, founded by local entrepreneur Claire Liddle, has benefited from the Council's Digitalising Town Centres programme, which helps retail and hospitality businesses improve their digital skills, grow online visibility and increase footfall. 

Since taking part in the programme, the business has attracted significantly more customers through its online channels, with seven to eight new customers visiting the shop each day after discovering Cakeaholics online. 

Cakeaholics opened in late 2023 after Claire spotted an opportunity to turn a growing demand for her cakes into a permanent business. From the outset, the shop proved popular with the local community, selling out early on its very first day of trading. 

However, despite strong in‑person demand, the business had limited digital presence and no website, restricting its ability to reach new customers or promote its full range of products and services. 

Through the Digitalising Town Centres programme, Claire received one‑to‑one support from a Business Advisor, including a digital audit and a practical action plan tailored to the needs of a busy small business. 

Support included help to design and launch a cost‑effective website, improve social media reach and engagement, introduce online enquiry handling and build confidence using tools such as QR codes and digital loyalty schemes. 

The programme also helped Claire improve the quality of her digital content, including photography and posting strategy, ensuring activity reached the right audiences at the right time. 

Claire said: "People regularly tell us they've popped in because they saw us on Facebook or visited our website first. Most importantly, I now feel confident using digital tools and adapting as the business grows." 

Cakeaholics now employs four staff, works with local suppliers wherever possible and operates not only as a café and bakery, but also as a community hub in Winlaton. Claire plans to reinvest profits to support further growth, with ambitions to open additional sites in the coming years. 

The Digitalising Town Centres programme is delivered by Gateshead Council and funded by the Local Growth Fund. It provides practical digital support to retail and town centre businesses, helping them increase visibility, attract customers and strengthen local economies.