All Mines Cakes by the Lake in Maythorne announces closure

A heartbroken business owner has made ‘one of the hardest decisions’ she ever had to make after announcing the closure of her tearoom.

All Mines Cakes by the Lake in Maythorne first opened in July 2018 and it has grown to be a community place.

However, the owner, Hayley Schofield announced on the tearoom’s Facebook that due to ongoing health struggles, the business will be closing its doors on March 21.

The former nurse, who turned her passion for baking into a popular business, said: “The decision to close the tearoom is one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make as we have given everything to All Mine Cakes by the Lake.”

The former nurse suffered from medical issues for several years and while treatment initially helped her manage the symptoms, it is no longer effective, and she has now been referred to a specialist in London.

She said: "I have poured everything into this tearoom, and while I may not look unwell, my body is telling me otherwise.

“The demands of running a business of this scale—50 to 70 hours a week for almost seven years—have taken their toll, and my health must now come first."

Following an extensive conversion of a former fishing lodge, the tearoom aimed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for those with food allergies and intolerances.

Hayley said that she viewed the tearoom as an extension of her care for others, ensuring that those with dietary restrictions could enjoy delicious food without worry.

“My favourite aspect was making a difference,” added Hayley.

She started as a home baker in 2013 before taking a leap of faith to open the tea room in 2018, which grew from tea and cake to making connections with the customers.

“It became something so much more than we ever could have hoped, imaged or believed,” Hayley said.

“People took us into their hearts and trusted us and the old fishing lodge became such a happy place where you left your worries of the world at the door and reluctantly pick them up on the way home.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including the pandemic, Storm Babet, road closures, and the cost-of-living crisis, the business persevered. However, in the end, it was her health that forced the decision to close.

“As a business owner to accept that my health is what has stopped the not-so-little adventure is heartbreaking, a dear friend said to me “celebrate that it happened, don’t be sad it’s ending,” she concluded.