Bolton cake shop opens on Derby Street from ex UN worker

Shabir Ahmad and his wife moved from the war-torn country 10 years ago, when their security was threatened.

Since then, the husband and wife have set up a home in Bolton and opened a cake shop called The Cake Inn on Derby Street, selling eggless cakes for any occasion.

Shabir has a degree in business management and worked for the United Nations and other international organizations including in the US before the move.

He said: “We had a very good life in Afghanistan, and we were happy but there were security threats.

“Bolton has become our second home now.

“Afghanistan needed young people at the time to work for Afghanistan’s reconstruction because so many buildings were destroyed.

“My parents are back there so I miss them as I can’t go back to see them.

“That time was different, I was young and single and one of my best times.”

Shabir said there was a demand for eggless and vegetarian cakes in the Bolton community and his wife loved making them.

He said: “My wife is the expert on cakes, and we just thought why work for someone when we could do something ourselves?

“She is good at designing the cakes and had her own Instagram page where she made them for family and friends.

“She has a passion for it.”

The family business sees Shabir run the cake shop, a long way from his former life.

He said: “It’s wonderful, and the best thing is that it’s a family business, because before we were working in different places but now, we are all together.

“It’s a big thing for me because the children can also learn about the family business, and maybe one day they can take over if they want to.”

Popular cakes include the Victoria sponge, red velvet, and chocolate sponges.

But a new addition also includes mango cake, and traditional milk cake.

Shabir said: “I came here and had to look after my family so could not work 9-5 and could not be stuck in a office job.

“It is much easier for us. It’s different and interesting.”