05/02/2026
We could do with your help.
I'll be honest and say January was a tough month. Constant rain, snow, named storm after named storm. Then add the effect of everyone overspending at Christmas and feeling the pinch (me included) and going into January hibernation... and my friends who work in hospitality warn me February will likely be worse. We are a small business that doesn't have huge amounts of savings (yet!) to weather all these storms.
I shared on my Facebook last night about what could happen if every adult in St Austell spent £5 in town rather than online or just in a supermarket and what that would mean to the local economy (about £6 million per year!) and that got me thinking about us specifically here in St Austell Market House.
We would survive each month, bills and wages paid, if everyone who is reading this came in and just bought a single treat. That's a cookie, or a brownie, or a bag of fudge, a toastie or whatever the treat of choice is. And if they bought a coffee as well... well goodness me we'd be making a profit that I could reinvest in potentially new locations, equipment, employee more people or events for the town, etc. Or stick into savings for when I'm sure the exact this happens next winter.
So that's my challenge to you this month, and if you can, every month this year. Pop in, buy a treat. Bring a friend, or get them a treat to bring home with you.
And if you're far away, because you have visited me previously, moved away, because someone has recommended me, or you've just seen what I'm doing and want to support... I do postal orders - message me and I can sort you out - or you can "buy me a coffee" using https://ko-fi.com/jakesbakes
I'm 100% sure I'm not the only one that needs you. Support your local businesses if you can, because they're the ones who try to learn your name, who smile when you come in not because they corporately have to but they genuinely like seeing you, and who employ locals like your friends and family members.
Thanks for reading and thank you to everyone who reads this and goes "I already do that!" - I wish your pillow is always the perfect temperature because you're awesome.
