What began as a lockdown cure for boredom in a home kitchen has officially transformed into one of Oswestry’s most inspiring local success stories. Just five weeks after opening her first permanent indoor stall at the Oswestry Indoor Market, local mother-of-two Abi Smith has already outgrown the space and expanded into a significantly larger unit.

Driven by an unprecedented surge in demand for her signature macro-counted prepared meals and guilt-free bakes, Abi’s business, Bake Baby Bakes & Bowls, is cementing its place as a cornerstone of the town’s vibrant independent food scene.

Abi’s journey into baking started six years ago when she began sharing photos of her creations online purely for fun. The response from the local community was immediate: residents didn’t just want to admire the photos, they wanted a taste.

However, building a business from scratch while raising two children was far from easy. Balancing late-night baking sessions with childcare, Abi admits she almost threw in the towel three times. Exhausted by a gruelling travel schedule that took her away from her family to trade at markets from Wales to London, she reached a turning point earlier this year and began searching for a standard 9-to-5 job.

Then came what she describes as a miracle: a rare permanent space opened up in the Oswestry Indoor Market.

“I knew it had fallen into my hands for a reason, it was exactly what I’d wanted for years,” says Abi. “Being rooted in the indoor market meant I could do what I love, serve the community I care about, and most importantly, be right here for my children.”

The move indoor allowed Abi to launch a concept unique to Oswestry’s food scene: macro-counted, high-protein, low-fat meals and sweet treats designed for health-conscious diners. Abi is one of only a handful of bakers in the UK producing macro-counted protein bakes due to the complex science required to make them taste great.

The community’s response to the new menu surpassed all expectations. Within just over a month, queueing customers and high demand meant Abi needed more room to bake, prep, and serve.

“Since launching Bake Baby in the Indoor Market, the demand has really grown for my pre-made meals and bakes,” Abi explains. “I’ve been made to feel so welcome in the market, so it was a very easy decision to stay, but move to a bigger unit. I can’t say how grateful I am to be so busy, and I’m confident in being able to expand my business.”

Alongside her physical expansion into the larger market space, Abi has also partnered with the online delivery platform Just-Eat, making her popular high-protein bakes, sweet potato jacket bowls, and macro-balanced meals accessible for doorstep delivery across the area.

Abi’s story is a testament to the power of local support and perseverance, proving that passion and hard work can turn a home-baked dream into a thriving high-street business.