August 18th, 2020.

Rian Mercer writes:


Megan Turk, 26, has baked as a hobby over the years and in September 2019, decided to take the brave leap to quit her full time job at Drusillas Park as Deputy Catering and Retail Manager to pursue this passion as a career. She ran her business, Got Buns Huns, from home (in Saltdean) successfully and online demand for her cupcakes, celebration cakes and brownies, along with regular local markets, meant that her baking had soon outgrown her flat.

At the beginning of March 2020, Megan got the lease to her first physical premises on Avis Parade Shops, Newhaven and was very excited to get her teeth stuck into the project, renovating the shop to reflect her unique and memorable branding.

Unfortunately, the timing of this coincided with lockdown beginning just a week later. Due to being self-employed for less than a year, Megan was not eligible for a government grant, and had to rely on my wage (as her partner who was still working as a teacher) and her own uncertain market. Not only was she unable to open to customers, she could not get the necessary tradespeople in to prepare the shop and get the work done that was needed. Despite this, she continued to succeed over lockdown and found an increased demand for postal orders as well as setting up a socially distanced delivery service. Meanwhile, friends and family rallied around to prepare the shop for opening (whenever that would be!).

Fast forward to 15th August, after many delays, government announcements and setbacks, as well as much blood, sweat and tears toiled into preparations, Got Buns Huns finally opened to the public. Socially distanced queuers were seen to be stood on footprints half an hour before opening, clad in masks, a buzz of eager anticipation in the air. The queue stretched back far beyond the shop but that did not deter people from waiting in true British spirit. After opening at 12, Megan completely sold out of goods (200 cupcakes, over 100 brownies and blondies, 50 rocky road slabs and 30 'cake jars') in under 2 hours.

Although some people who turned up later were disappointed to have missed out, many agreed how positive it was for the local community to have such a well presented and popular business in the Denton area. The fact that Megan, a young female businesswoman, has achieved this throughout lockdown and has managed to have such a successful opening in the current climate is truly remarkable.

The shop is now open as a counter service on Thursday – Saturday and Megan continues to take on orders for larger celebration cakes, including wedding cakes. She may be baking her own wedding cake soon, after she got engaged on 10th August, starting a massive week for her.

I am her fiancé so may be biased, I just think it is incredible what she has achieved in the circumstances and positive news like this deserves to be shared in these uncertain times!

www.gotbunshuns.com