Sweet success for Pixie Bakes in national awards

A much-loved Tintwistle cake and coffee shop has been named as a finalist in the UK Small Business Awards - and locals couldn’t be prouder. 

Owner Emily Scriven, 26, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Family Business category - a huge achievement for the young baker who started out making cakes at home while still at school. 

“We knew about the awards but didn’t think we’d have a chance” said Emily. “They cover the whole of the UK, so when I found out we were finalists, I couldn’t believe it! It’s such a massive honour.” 

The award ceremony takes place on 13 December at the Birmingham Conference Centre, and although the team can’t attend due to it being their busy Christmas season, they’ll be watching the live stream together. 

Pixie Bakes opened its doors in June 2018, but Emily’s journey began much earlier: “I actually started when I was 15, in Year 11 at school,” she said. “I was just making celebration cakes for family and friends - nobody really knew about it. I charged a small amount to build up a portfolio.” 

While studying Bakery and Confectionery Levels 2 and 3, and later Patisserie Level 3, at Tameside College, Emily ran her growing cake business from home and worked part-time at the Bull’s Head. 

By her final year of college, she was juggling everything - baking, studying and renovating her future shop. “It was crazy! I don’t know how I did it,” she laughed. 

The idea for a physical shop came after a chat with her mum, Jean. “We were just talking about what I was going to do after college” Emily said. “I always wanted to be my own boss. This premises in Tintwistle had been on the market for ages, and we said, ‘Let’s just go and view it - what are the chances it might actually happen?’ We walked in and I immediately thought, yes!” 

The property, once a rental home, was transformed into the cosy café that villagers now know and love, and while it is very much Emily’s business, Pixie Bakes is a real family effort. 

Her mum Jean works alongside her, making all the savoury dishes and preparing the new ‘Grab and Go’ fridge lunches. Her dad Paul helps behind the scenes - handling the shopping, deliveries, odd jobs and maintenance - while her sister Nina works in the shop. Her youngest sister Maddie worked there too, before moving on to a new career. 

For Emily and her family, Pixie Bakes is about more than delicious food - it’s about connection. Mum Jean explains, “It’s lovely to have a true family business. In a fast, modern world it’s special to have a place where people can come and chat, where everyone knows each other. We wanted to provide something for the local community - somewhere elderly people, parents with small children, or anyone feeling isolated could come and spend time with others. I really love working with my daughter too!” 

Pixie Bakes has become well known for its creative cakes, generous portions, and constantly changing menu: “The cakes change every day” said Emily “which keeps it fun for us and exciting for the customers.” Everything is made from scratch using local ingredients, and all items are vegetarian, with plenty of vegan and allergy-friendly options. 

The drinks are just as imaginative, with a seasonal menu that changes every few months. “We try to be a bit different” Emily said. “Right now, we’ve got a Bonfire Hot Chocolate, Maple Ginger Latte, and Spiced Apple - and a full matcha menu too.” 

As well as serving loyal locals, Pixie Bakes has customers across the UK thanks to its weekly postal cake boxes, which can be ordered via the website. “The flavours change each week, and we post them all over - to Ireland, London, Scotland” Emily explained. “We have the same customers ordering every week.” 

During the pandemic, Pixie Bakes’ online orders surged, with customers from as far away as the US and Australia sending cakes to family members in the UK. “Some of them have since visited the shop, which is lovely” Emily said. 

Pixie Bakes also plays a key role in supporting other small businesses. The shop stocks a wide range of products from local makers and artists, including Daddy Cool’s Sauces, Thread and Clay Art School, High Peak Candles, The Intolerant Baker, Metta and Magic, Clay by Sarah, Beyond Skin, The Cosy Rose Company, Glossop Pick n Mix and Tintwistle Village Store’s owner Natasha, who makes printed glassware. 

They also showcase work by local artists on their walls. “We’re always happy to chat to other local makers who want to stock their goods here,” Emily said. “We love helping other small businesses get their name out there.” 

A special area in the shop is dedicated to honouring Dame Vivienne Westwood, who was born in Tintwistle and is buried in the village’s Christ Church. The connection began when renowned designer Jeff Banks, who helped organise Westwood’s funeral, contacted Emily to request cakes for the wake. “It was such a massive honour” said Emily. “Jeff even sent us all individual handwritten letters of thanks afterwards.” 

Earlier this year, the shop received a Tintwistle Green Champion Award, with the certificate pre-signed by Dame Westwood before her passing and presented by her son, Ben. 

Another special display features framed clippings from the Glossop Chronicle, celebrating key moments in the shop’s history – from recipes and market appearances to the time one of their customers, Ben Watson, brought home an Olympic gold medal. A space has already been left free for this article to join the collection! 

During our visit the shop begin to fill up and we chatted to locals who were full of praise: 

Hannah told us: “It’s just gorgeous! The cakes are amazing, the lunches are fabulous, and I love that they now do takeaway stuff too. I recommend any of the flapjacks!” 

Abbey added: “It’s now become our regular meeting spot. It’s the central hub in Tintwistle and nothing can replace it. The cakes are wonderful - anything with Biscoff is my favourite and you can’t go wrong with a brownie and a cappuccino.” 

Natasha, from the Village Store across the road, said: “I might as well have shares in this place, I’m here so often! The customer service is amazing. They’re such a lovely family - they really deserve to win this award.” 

Regular Tony Owens (photo above)  agreed: “It’s friendly, efficient, clean, and a really nice place. I’m a tea man - I like a pot of tea and a teacake to start my day. You can’t go wrong here.” 

For Emily and her family, the business awards recognition is the icing on the cake - a celebration of their dedication, creativity and love for the community they serve every day.