A new bakery is set to open in an East Cambridgeshire village with shelves stocked full of irresistible treats.

The Goodies Box currently bakes a range of delicious cakes, cookies and brownies to order but is opening a shop in Little Downham to meet increasing demand. 

The bakery will serve hot and cold drinks, including speciality coffee supplied by Kickstart Coffee, in addition to freshly baked bread. 

Established by James Goodfellow, a devoted single parent who found solace while baking during the Covid pandemic, The Goodies Box soon grew from a hobby into a part-time venture. 

Before he knew it he was spending two full days in his kitchen, baking batch after batch of delicious treats just to fulfill orders placed on his website. 

However, at the time, James didn't have the time to fully commit to a bakery business and he was forced to put his dream on hold. 

He told the Ely Standard: "When I started baking with the kids, I realised its ability to bring people together and spread joy. 

"I baked a few gift boxes for my children's teachers as a thank you and they were really happy with them. Soon after that, word began to spread and before I knew it, I was spending two days straight at a time in the kitchen baking orders. 

"The interest blew up quickly, but I soon outgrew my kitchen at home and with my full-time job, I didn't have the time to fully commit." 

James, from Witchford, reignited his passion for baking late last year and just three months ago he decided to take his passion to the next level, managing to locate premises next to G's Barbers & Men's Room on 31 High Street. 

He said he chose Little Downham as the location for The Goodies Box because of the "significant" levels of through traffic. 

He said: "The high street is always a busy stretch of road and there'll no doubt be people always looking for a place to grab a coffee and a place to eat. 

"You've got the builders on their way to work in the morning, and I know from experience they always like to grab a sandwich and a coffee in the morning.

"I've always wanted to be in hospitality and the shop became available at the perfect time." 

The bakery, which James described as "quirky", "chic" and "cozy", has been designed to promote "coffee dates" and can seat 20 customers inside, and eight outside.

In addition to baking bread and a range of sweet treats, James also hopes to make use of local produce by serving fresh jacket potatoes with a range of fillings. 

Feedback to the planned opening has been universally positive, with residents taking to social media to express excitement at the prospect of a new bakery in the high street.

James added: "The Goodies Box is not just a bakery; it's a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and family.

"It's a place where customers can feel the warmth of a home-baked treat and the dedication of a father who turned a simple love for baking into a dream come true."

The Goodies Box is on track to open on September 23.