Ms Ptak built her business from scratch, cooking at home and selling her cakes from a stall in London’s Broadway Market from 2005. The scent of Violet Cakes’ freshly baked cinnamon buns, chocolate brownies, cookies and scones has been drawing customers to her Dalston premises since 2010.
But the US-born businesswoman said the National Insurance rise was killing her business as it amounted to an extra £90,000 per year. Ms Ptak said where wages used to be up to 38% of her business’s costs, they now account for 50%.
She explained how six cakes were made as options for the wedding, including a rhubarb cake, chocolate salted caramel cake and a fruitcake.
Harry and Meghan broke with royal tradition by not opting for a fruitcake for their wedding. Instead they selected a lemon and elderflower creation covered in buttercream icing and decorated with fresh flowers. It took six bakers five days to get the cake ready for the Sussexes’ big day.
Firms across the UK have been sounding alarm bells over rising costs resulting from Government policies.
Curry’s, JD Wetherspoon and Morrisons are among those which have warned surging costs, including wages, business rates and energy, have taken their toll.
The Chancellor has insisted businesses are feeling “optimistic”. Speaking at Davos, Ms Reeves said: “We have the right plan, for our economy, for our country to bring that growth and prosperity in all parts of the country that we need.”
