A brand new family-owned cake shop and takeaway cafe has opened in an iconic Lancaster city centre site.

Russell’s Celebration Cakes, owned and operated by Rebecca Russell, has taken over part of the former Gorrill’s of Lancaster shop in Penny Street from Tuesday June 8.

Rebecca, from Heysham, created the business during the early stages of the Covid-19 lockdown and is opening in Lancaster following a successful first year producing and selling custom-made celebration cakes and delivered afternoon teas.

She said: “I’m excited to open in the centre of Lancaster and developing the next stage of the business.

“I’m also really pleased to be bring another locally-owned family business to such a well-known location in the heart of Lancaster.”

Before setting up her family business, Rebecca trained as a chef at Lancaster and Morecambe College, and worked as pastry chef at a number of restaurants and hotels in Lancashire and Cumbria.

She said: “When I was at school I thought I wanted to be an interior designer, but then I realised I enjoyed working in cafes and coffee shops. My mum suggested that I study catering at college and it was the best thing I ever did.

“I enjoy the high-intensity atmosphere of kitchens, cafes and restaurants and setting up my own business was the natural next step in my career.”

Before now, mum-of-two Rebecca had been working from her home kitchen, but is now baking from the new Penny Street premises.

The shop offers takeaway homemade cakes, freshly-made sandwiches and high-quality coffee, and customers are able to visit to order custom-made cakes and collect pre-ordered afternoon teas and sandwich platters.

At weekends there is a patisserie-style menu including colourful homemade macarons.

Rebecca said: “Everything we is to restaurant standards, and uses the best fresh produce. I’m really excited about the recent opening, and am excited to welcome more customers.”

China and giftware shop Gorrill’s of Lancaster, closed in 2020 due to the retirement of its owners. First established in 1891, the Gorrill family business operated from various locations in Penny Street throughout its 129-year history.

Find out more about Russell’s Celebration Cakes at https://www.facebook.com/RussellsofHeysham/.