Perfect Cupcakes owner Emily England has been working around the clock since she moved the shop from Bredbury to Cheadle, Stockport, in December – with help from just one part-time staff member
A devoted mum-turned-tearoom owner has expressed frustration over a two-star online review from a woman who had never even set foot inside the business.
Emily England has been pouring her heart and soul into Perfect Cupcakes since its relocation from Bredbury to Cheadle, Stockport, in December. As the sole baker, with only one part-time staff member assisting with serving, her days are filled to the brim. The shop operates from 10am to 6pm almost daily, with Mondays being the only day off, but during busier periods like half-term, Emily opens the shop seven days a week to accommodate events such as cupcake decorating.
Given her tireless efforts, receiving a poor review from someone who hadn’t even visited the shop was especially disheartening. The two-star Google review stated: “This is a new shop in Cheadle but I can never catch it open nor can anyone I know! Opening times on the door would help but we have been several times and it is always shut!” The reviewer assigned 3/5 for food, 1/5 for service, and 2/5 for atmosphere.
Emily described her business as a bakery, tearoom, and party venue that also hosts children’s baking classes. She emphasized her dedication to customer satisfaction, revealing: “All my bakes are made from scratch and I spend a lot of time at work working very hard to keep my customers happy.”
She added: “I spent the whole school holidays putting on events for children to keep them busy and happy, I pride myself on customer service and have a large social media presence. I will always do my best, you only need to ask any of my customers and they will tell you.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“Leaving a bad review has left me very frustrated as the customer hasn’t even been in to review my business but left bad ratings for food and customer service. Reviews shouldn’t be allowed unless they have actually visited a business and have proof of this. I feel times are hard for small businesses at the moment and this could have a negative impact on people working very hard for what they do.”
The 35 year old mother of two, who runs the shop on Wilmslow Road, ensures that someone is always there when she can’t be – and has only ever had to shut up shop once due to her daughter needing surgery.
Emily expressed her frustration, saying: “When I read the review it was about 8pm at night and I was still in the shop, which made me even more annoyed. I’d had to close the day before because of my daughter’s operation, but even if this woman had called then, she mentions never finding the place open and people she knows never finding it open, which simply isn’t true.
“I’m here so much. Even the people working in the other shops near us have said ‘you’re here more than we are’. I’m the only baker so I spend so much time baking and preparing.” She added: “We serve afternoon teas and we do lots of activities in half term, so it’s always really busy and we put a lot of effort in. It’s hard for businesses at the moment, especially small businesses, and we just don’t need that negativity.”