THE owners of a popular cake-baking business say they have been “blown away” by the support from the Glasgow public after re-opening their West End cafe for takeaway service during lockdown.

Linsay Reith and her sisters Nichola and Gillian, who run Three Sisters Bake, said they have been forced to close two of their others cafes due to the financial challenges of the pandemic.

They said the decision not to re-open the original cafe at Quarrier’s Village in Kilmcolm in Renfrewshire and another cafe on the outskirts of Glasgow was “the best option available to us” in order to guarantee the long-term future of the business.

The sisters, who are from Bridge of Weir, have made a name for themselves in the cake-baking industry, launching a cookbook four years ago. Last year Nichola landed a prime time slot  fronting BBC baking show Flour Power, which sees workmates across Scotland battle for a cake-making crown.

The family said efforts will be focused on developing the new Cake Bar that was launched last year on Great Western Road as well as a wedding catering business and online shop.

In an online statement they said: “As the lockdown measures that closed the hospitality industry are eased, circumstances have reshaped our family business.

“Unfortunately, as we refocus on these parts of our business, we’ve taken the difficult decision not to reopen our cafes at Quarriers Village and Killearn Village Hall.

“This has been a horribly hard decision but is the best option available to us at this time as we pivot the business in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“We will continue to develop our takeaway shop Cake Bar in Glasgow’s West End on Great Western Road.

“We’ve been blown away in the past number of weeks with the support from customers visiting us there. This means so much to us in such challenging times.”

“We are looking forward to being able to hold our first post lockdown weddings and are continuing to take new bookings for 2021 and 2022.

“Our wedding business, based at Killearn Village Hall, as well as offsite wedding catering and wedding cakes, will remain at the heart of Three Sisters Bake.”

Hundreds of people posted messages of support online after reading of the business closures.

One customer said: “So gutted to hear the cafes are being shut. Have had many lunches and afternoon teas at both Quarriers and Killearn. 

“Unfortunately living in South Side of Glasgow the cake bar is not convenient for takeaway. 

“I do hope that you will open another cafe in the future, and if you do, I guarantee there would be a huge demand for it in the South Side (East Renfrewshire).”