Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding cake baker, who runs Violet Cakes in east London, risks her establishment closing following Labour's business rates hike.
Claire Ptak, the celebrated pastry chef behind the organic lemon and elderflower wedding cake for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has issued a public plea for assistance to prevent her Dalston bakery from shutting its doors.
The California-born baker has been forced to seek financial support amid mounting pressures on British businesses under the current Labour Government.
Despite the high-profile royal endorsement from her 2018 commission, Ms Ptak finds herself facing potential closure due to substantial increases in business rates that have hit establishments across the country.
Meghan and Harry's baker risks shop closure following Labour's crushing business rates
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Ms Ptak has revealed that her establishment is grappling with identical financial burdens to those faced by pub owners across Britain, who have been vocal about the crushing weight of business rates under Sir Keir Starmer's administration.
The situation has become so severe that some pub landlords have banned Labour MPs from their premises in protest.
While the Government subsequently announced relief measures for the pub sector, other hospitality businesses have been left without similar support.
Ms Ptak's bakery finds itself among those enterprises excluded from any rebate scheme, despite facing the same economic pressures that prompted intervention for licensed premises.
A close-up view of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding cake
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In her online appeal, Ms Ptak laid bare the difficulties facing her business. "We are really struggling in silence with the same problems pubs are talking about and are truly in trouble," she admitted.
The baker, who employs 20 staff, expressed her determination to find a solution: "Trying to find a way out of this like so many in hospitality.
"I want to save my business for myself, my daughter and my 20 beautiful employees and, of course, for all of you."
Ms Ptak has indicated she is exploring various options, including crowdfunding and seeking investment from supporters: "Considering crowd-funding as well as investment. Any thoughts? Would you support a crowd-funding campaign?"
Claire Ptak also created Princess Lilibet's first birthday cake
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Claire Ptak runs an establishment in Dalston, east London
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The baker honed her craft as a pastry chef in her home state of California before relocating to London, where she has authored six cookery books.
Her connection to the Duchess of Sussex predates the royal wedding, with Meghan having previously featured the baker on her lifestyle blog, The Tig.
The elaborate wedding creation required five days of preparation, with some ingredients, including elderflower syrup, sourced from the Royal Family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The Sussexes called upon Ms Ptak's talents once more in 2022, when she crafted the cake for their daughter Lilibet's first birthday celebration.
Last summer, the baker also produced the wedding cake for pop star Charli XCX.