Frequently
Asked
Questions
Where are you located?
Our address is: Gardners Bakery, 85 Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 7SL.
Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
Where can I park?
We're located on Kingsthorpe front with lots of FREE parking nearby:
Street Parking: Bective Road, Ruskin Road, Boughton Green Road, High Street
Small carpark located behind Subway: 2-minute walk
Waitrose: Approximately a 5-minute walk away
Asda: Located just a 8-minute walk away
Please check parking restictions
Where are your cakes made?
All of our cakes are handcrafted in our Northampton bakery, using traditional methods and recipes passed down through generations. We maintain a 5* Food & Hygiene rating.
We bake all of our cakes, cookies, cupcakes and tasty treats in house. Our bread is supplied by local bakery Tees, just down the road from us.
How do I place an order?
We’ve made it easy to get the cake of your dreams. Choose the way that works best for you:
Visit Us In Store: Pop in during opening hours to chat with our team and see our work in person.
Give Us a Call: Have a quick question? Ring us up for immediate assistance.
Message Us: Send an email to info@gardnersbakery.co.uk or a DM on social media, we're Gardners Bakery on FB or Gardners Cakes on Insta.
Shop Online 24/7: Browse our wide range of signature designs and order anytime at gardnerscakes.co.uk.
Do I need to make an appointment?
No appointment is necessary! You can order your birthday, anniversary, or special occasion cake in store during our open hours, just pop in for a chat with our team.
To ensure we give your big day the attention it deserves, appointments are recommended for wedding consultations.
How much notice do you need?
We recommend the following notice periods:
Basic Designs: 2-3 days notice.
Detailed/Custom Cakes: 5 days (or longer if you can)
Wedding Cakes: As much notice as possible (often 3–6 months).
Note: During busy periods, our diary fills up quickly! We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Need a Last-Minute Cake?
Don't panic! If you’ve left it late, give us a call. While we can’t always guarantee all design availability, we will always try our absolute best to squeeze in a yummy last-minute creation for you.
When will my order be ready?
Your order will be ready on your chosen day during the times stated upon ordering. This is usually between 10am-2pm, but may vary depending on the day of the week or the notice given.
We will not contact you or call you to let you know your order is ready - simply turn up between the stated times.
We are only human, and sometimes things can take longer than expected, so please bear in mind there may be delays with your order.
If you are on a tight schedule, feel free to give us a ring before you set off just to check we've got your cake ready to go.
Can I get a cake same day?
Yes! We offer cakes ready in as little as 15 minutes, subject to availability. If you’ve had a cake emergency or a last-minute celebration, pop in store or give us a call to see what we can whip up for you right now.
How do you price your cakes?
Our pricing is determined by three main factors: Size, Flavour, and Level of Decoration.
Basic Designs: These are sold at a base price. Any additional decorations, toppers, or customisations are added to this initial cost.
Decorated/Signature Cakes: These are priced exactly as shown in the photo. If you wish to change the design or add extra features, the price may vary accordingly.
Do you offer bespoke designs?
Can't find exactly what you're looking for? We love bringing your unique ideas to life! If you have a photo of a cake not in our collection, you want to mix and match our designs, or if you want to design something entirely from scratch, we’ve got you covered.
How to Get a Bespoke Quote
To get a quote, we recommend emailing, sending a DM on social media, or popping in store with your ideas.
To help us give you an accurate price, please include:
- A Reference Photo: Any images that inspire your design.
- Portion Size: How many people do you need to feed?
- Date Needed: When is the big celebration?
- Extra Details: Specific flavours, colours, or any important info.
What are your free-from options?
While we follow strict hygiene standards, please note that we cannot guarantee our cakes are 100% free from any specific allergens as all items are prepared in a kitchen that handles various ingredients.
Our "Free-From" Range
We offer a selection of recipes tailored for specific dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free Recipe: Vanilla Cupcakes.
- Vegan: Vanilla Cupcakes.
- Vegan & Gluten-Free: Vanilla Cupcakes.
- Vegan & Soya-Free: Iced Shortbread Cookies.
Nut-Free Recipes: All of our cakes and cupcakes are made using nut-free recipes, please be aware that there are nuts present in our bakery. Please specify any allergies when ordering, as some sprinkles and chocolates contain nuts or traces of nuts.
Are your cakes vegetarian?
All of our cakes are made using vegetarian friendly recipes, with the exception of our Red Velvet cake (due to the E numbers in the red colouring).
Certain decorations are also not vegetarian friendly, including our coloured sprinkles, sweets and more . Please make us aware at the time of ordering and we'll be happy to swap your decorations over to vegetarian friendly alternatives.
While we follow strict hygiene standards, please note that we cannot guarantee our cakes are 100% free from any specific allergens as all items are prepared in a kitchen that handles various ingredients.
Will my cake still be fresh for the next day?
We recommend collecting your cake as close to your event date as possible to ensure it's as fresh as can be. Stored in suitable conditions, most of our cakes have a 5 day shelf life, our cupcakes have a 1-2 day shelf life.
Store all of our treats at room temperature, not in a fridge, car or garage. Once cut, wrap in foil and store in an airtight container.
Giant cookies are best enjoyed on the day of collection or the day after, and shortbread cookies last up to 2 months.
Can I order a plain cake to decorate myself?
Unfortunately we don't offer our cakes plain for customers to decorate themselves, or add their own edible prints to.
All of our classic cake range must include a signature piped message on top.
If you've got an acrylic or card name topper, or purchased a plastic toy topper to accent your cake with, let us know and we can leave you space to add them at home!
How do I pay for my cake?
A 50% deposit or full payment confirms your booking. We accept payments:
In store: Cash or Card payments
Over the phone: Card payments
Some of our designs can be ordered online with full payment, via card at checkout.
Can you put a photo on my cake?
Fun fact: Following a trip to a convention in America, we were one of the first in the UK to offer edible printed photos on cakes in the 90s!
We print our edible images in house to decorate our own cakes, starting from just £5 extra with just 2 days notice.
Are all of your cake decorations edible?
We have a wide range of toppers that can be added to our cakes, found in store or made to order. These include edible and non-edible figurines.
Although your toppers may be made from icing, please be aware of structural supports including wires, straws & polystyrene. Remove before serving your cake.
If you're unsure, please ask our team.
How do I transport my cake?
Transporting a custom cake can be nerve-wracking, but following those specific instructions will ensure it arrives in one piece.
Location: Use the boot or the passenger footwell. These are the flattest surfaces in a vehicle.
The "No" Zone: Never place the cake on a car seat (they slant) or a person’s lap (they move and tilt).
Handling: Carry the box from the bottom. Do not push the sides in, and never stack other items or boxes on top of the cake.
Temperature: Keep the car cool. If it's a warm day, run the AC for a few minutes before putting the cake inside.
Do you offer delivery?
All of our cakes are for collection only, we do not offer a delivery service.
We do offer limited local delivery on some of our larger wedding cakes, these do book up quick!
We offer UK wide delivery on our iced shortbread cookies, shop online on Gardnerscookies.co.uk
Can I send someone else to collect?
Of course! They'll be responsible for confirming all is okay with the cake, so please ensure they know what they're collecting.
They'll also need:
The name it's ordered under
Cake details (i.e the birthday girls name, or the size you chose)
There's an issue with my cake, what do I do?
We always show you your celebration cake to get your "seal of approval" before you leave the store.
Double check the spelling of names, the age, and the details are all correct. We're all human, mistakes happen, we always try our best to resolve any issues quickly.
If you notice an issue while still in the store, point it out immediately for an on the spot fix.
If you notice an issue later, please call us immediately to see what we can do to help.
Read our full Terms & Conditions.
Can I cancel my order once placed?
While you can cancel your order, there are cancellation fees involved (of up to 100%, depending on notice).
Read our full Terms & Conditions.
Can I change something on my order?
We always try our best to help with order amendments, but please note this may not always be possible or may incur additional costs.
Give us a call to see how we can help.
You didn't answer my question here?
If you've still got some questions unanswered, get in touch with us!
Call: 01604 458555
Email: info@gardnersbakery.co.uk
Online Form: Fill out this form & we'll get back to you via email