A POPULAR baking shop owned by a much-loved couple learnt to adapt their business to tremendous success during lockdown.

Being open for only two years the couple changed what was a cafe into a delivery business, making sure the community could thrive through the hardest times.

Sharon and her husband Denver both started as chefs working for private families and functions down south in Hampshire.

Denver who is originally from New Zealand, also skilled as a gardener, had completed many courses in the art of cuisine.

Sharon was inspired by both her grandmas from a very young age to take up baking and cake making. "It was always something I was going to do," she said, "Eventually it all worked out and we both worked for the rich and famous - as chauffeur and chef. "We also looked after their houses, Denver looked after the grounds, and I catered for the families.

With the birth of their first child, the couple decided it was time to move back to Sharon's home of Whitehaven, "The grandparents were not going to let us stay down south with the grandchildren," she said.

When they moved back to Whitehaven Sharon and her youngest brother, Stephen, opened the Wellington Bistro based under the Beacon.

The restaurant was open for 11 successful years although Sharon didn't know if she was going to be able to keep it open as Stephen passed away three months into the new venture.

Sharon believed, much as she does now, in current circumstances, that Stephen would've wanted them to carry on the business, Sharon said: "We worked hard and did really well for as long as we could but things got difficult because managing a business, a family, and staff was quite overwhelming.

"We decided from there that we would try something smaller so we opened Truly Scrumptious on King Street."

Once coronavirus swept through the country Sharon and her husband debated what the future of their business would be. "We decided to buy a car and put all our food, our afternoon teas, savouries, cakes, such like and start delivering around the community," she said. "People were so supportive and it took off in no time. We kept our old customers as well as gaining new ones.

Sharon and Denver worked hard to keep the business afloat, Sharon said: "Now there's cakes coming out of my ears! I'm loving it now, it was my childhood dream to open this shop, it's amazing we can continue."