AFTER suffering an illness, a Walton mum-of-two has opened the shop of her dreams.

Emma Rooney is now the proud proprietor of ‘CAKES by Emma’ at 57 High Street.

The 39-year-old already operated Cupcake Caddy, a part-time business which involved baking cakes and running cake decorating classes, as well as serving after noon teas to nearby beach huts.

The venture followed an earlier business which involved selling cakes from a pink burger van dressed in 1950s clothing. Sadly, Emma suffered glandular fever, which made her extremely tired and coupled with being a busy mum, meant she had to sell the van and work part-time from home.

Fortunately, Emma recovered enough to give her the strength to go back into business, leading to her last month finding a former second hand furniture shop in Walton High Street, next to the Premier convenience store.

“It needed a complete makeover. Within a day of finding the shop, I gathered my children and friends to help. There was banging, drilling and more drilling, which revealed problems,” she said.

“After one month of blood, sweat and tears, plus tips to B&Q, my beautiful cake shop was born. It was the hardest project I have taken on. I thought I would fail at times but I never did, I kept fighting and battling and I finally got it,” she said.

Emma promoted her new venture on Facebook and gave away 200 cupcakes at its opening event, which featured an unveiling of the shop’s name.

“I will be selling occasion cakes freshly-baked and hand decorated to order. I will also be selling cupcakes and slices of cakes and sweet treats daily to take away. My shop is intended to be a fantastic party venue for children and adults and able to hoist beautiful theme cupcakes, decorating parties, as well as more glamorous functions. I will also be hosting cake decorating classes on a regular basis,” Emma continued.

Since opening several weeks ago, Emma said business has been good, with 200 through the door on the first day and “a regular flow of customers since.”

And in the business, she is helped out by her two children Millie and Louis Stinson at weekends.

“I am a single mum to two children. I did this to show my children you don’t need money to have dreams!” Emma added.