Micro-bakery crowdfunds to take over empty shop

The old jewellery shop on Earlsdon Street has been brightened up by a Katie O mural

A Coventry micro-bakery is crowdfunding to set up shop in an empty high street building set for renovation.

Lily & Fox hopes to raise £15,000 to invest in the old RJ Pennycook & Son premises in Earlsdon.

The council approved plans last week to renovate the former jewellers with a new shop front and two-storey extension.

The family-run bakery, which is currently home-based, said it was "incredibly excited" to be taking the next step.

Writing on the bakery's website, founders Charlotte Lee and Daniel Perry revealed their plans.

"We’re incredibly excited (and of course a bit scared!) to be taking this exciting new step," they wrote.

They paid tribute to “the incredible patience of the owner of the property for being so supportive in making this happen".

But the post added the business needed help towards £15,000 of an estimated £25,000 set-up cost, to buy equipment and get the shop ready.

“Your positive and encouraging comments have helped us get to where we are and your generosity will make a dream come true for us," the pair said.

The business, which the couple started last year, is named after their children and Ms Lee's grandmother, who was a baker in Coventry in the 1950s.

Planning documents revealed the shop and adjoining flat would be brought back into viable use after an extended period of being vacant.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.