Cake shed owner vows to carry on after theft
BBCThe owner of an honesty-box cake shed in Capel-le-Ferne has said she will continue running the business after cakes were stolen by a group of youths.
Emma Burton, who runs the Capel Cake Shed, said support from customers had convinced her not to give up after footage of the theft was shared online and viewed millions of times.
The incident was reported to Kent Police on 16 August after cakes were stolen earlier that day.
Footage shared by the business has since been viewed more than nine million times online, with Burton receiving messages of support from as far away as Australia and the US.
"It's gone as far as Buffalo, Texas, Australia. People sending messages wishing support and love and everything," she said.
She said the youths later returned and left money and an apology through the shed's Ring doorbell system.
"I feel they shouldn't have done it in the first place," she said.
"They are probably trying to make it right for what they've done, but have they only done it because they were all over social media? Probably."
Despite the theft, Burton said support from customers had been overwhelming.
"The community have been wonderful," she said.
"I've had customers coming in, putting extra money in, telling me not to give it up.
"People [are] coming up saying, 'we've seen your post, we've come up, your cakes are amazing', and putting extra money in to cover the cost of what people have stolen."
Local resident Cath Glover said the youngsters should do something to make amends.
"The lady's not got a great big business. She's working hard. All the locals love it," she said.
Another customer, Julian Manser, said it was disappointing to see an honesty-box business targeted.
"Someone's own little business they've got set up, whatever, and just come in, help themselves and think, well, I'll have that, I'll have this," he said.
The cake shed opened in December and sells homemade cakes including brownies, gypsy tart and shortbread.
Burton runs the cake shed alongside her job at a local ice cream kiosk.
She said several thefts had been reported since it opened, but insisted she would keep it running.
"They're not going to stop me," she said.
"The good outweighs the bad. I love doing what I'm doing and the customers love it."
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