THE OWNER of a popular city centre cupcake café has decided to sell the business after three years of bringing cake creations to Hereford.

Valencia Simpson, owner of the Kup-Cake Kitchen Café, set up the business three years ago on Union Street, selling her handmade cupcakes and occasion cakes to the city made from locally sourced, ethical ingredients.

The café’s Parisian style interior and cake and champagne have proved a hit with customers and the business has grown bigger than Valencia imagined when she started out three years ago.

Now, Valencia has decided to let someone else take the business on so she can spend more time with her family.

The mum of three explained: “The shop has grown too big for me and it has taken a direction I never envisaged.

“It can be so much more and so much bigger. It’s grown too big for me to lead.”

Valencia’s decision has been motivated by her desire to spend more time with her children as she does not want to miss out on them growing up.

She said: “I massively, massively miss being a part of them growing up. I have given three years to this shop. I hope that someone else can take it to the level it can be.”

Fans of the café’s cakes need not worry as Valencia will still be making her much-loved occasion cakes to order.

She has nothing but praise for the shop’s loyal customers and hopes they will continue to support the future owners of the shop.

She said: “The support we have had from customers, the cafe has become a real beacon in the street."

Valencia added: "Our customers have been lovely and hopefully they will support whoever takes over.”

The Kup-Cake Kitchen Café is still open as usual.