AN Andover businesswoman has opened up a brand new cake shop on the town’s high street.

Beverly Botha, owner of The Travelling Cupcake, has launched her second store in the town, following a nearly eight-year hunt for the perfect location.

The business started with a market stall, and then they were offered the opportunity to open a pop-up shop on Bridge Street.

After the pop-up shop, Bev decided she wanted to continue having a permanent place and opened up in Waterloo Court.

“That is really good for beginner businesses, but it was just too quiet for us!” she said.

The team began searching for the perfect town centre spot.

“People seem to think that there’s a lot of empty shops, but there’s not,” said the 39-year-old. “Not the right ones anyway!”

Along the way, the company purchased Lucy’s Kitchen and amalgamated the businesses into a store on the high street, which they have had for five years.

But now, they have officially opened their second site on the same street, which offers a variety of drinks, cakes, pastries and more.

Bev, who is originally from South Africa, but has lived in Andover for the past 14 years, said that some of her cooking is inspired by her roots, while other recipes she has picked up from friends, family and colleagues in the UK.

“During the pandemic we did a couple of hot food takeaway nights and people enjoyed trying something different,” she said.

“But over here, this is pure British deliciousness.”

Bev, who is part of the Andover BID, said that the store launch at 8am on Thursday, September 9, went extremely well, adding: “Andover has supported us a lot, and it has motivated us to keep going.

“It was really lovely to see, and to hear the lovely things that people said to us as well.”

Bev learned to bake from time spent with her mother and grandmother,and now hopes to pass the passion onto her ten-year-old daughter.

“I used to bake a lot with my gran and my mum growing up,” she explained.

“I never aspired to own a coffee shop, and I didn’t bake for many years, but then my daughter was born with a dairy allergy and I had to find new ways of doing things.”

With a laugh, the mother-of-three added: “I always tell Sophia that she is the future CEO so she needs to learn!”

The Travelling Cupcake is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.