Jesmond-based family business Le Mini Macaron hopes to expand online in 2016, its owners have told JesmondLocal.

Le Mini Macaron dates back to March 2014, and the present of a ‘Macaron Making Kit’ that planted the idea for a bigger business. Gillian Kenyon and her daughter Joanne, having a rich background in the food industry, saw the potential of a growing business in the heart of Jesmond.

“We decided to try our hand at macaron making as we saw potential for not only a thriving business opportunity but also a gap in the market within Newcastle and the surrounding area,” the pair told JesmondLocal.

After 18 months of business, they are now mainstays at local food fairs as well as certain farmers markets, while their regular spot remains the Newcastle Quayside Sunday market.

Within Jesmond, their “eye catching pink and white gazebo” can be found at the popular Jesmond Food Market on Armstrong Bridge, while they have also participated at the Heaton Park Festival in June. In April 2016 they plan to take a place at the ‘Living North Spring Fair’, held at Gosforth Park Racecourse.

The popularity of their macarons has grown over the months, with Gillian and Joanne baking and staying busy from Monday to Friday, while attending markets during the weekends.

“When we are not making for markets and fairs we’re creating bespoke macarons for the wedding market,” the Kenyons said. “No two wedding orders are ever the same. We were thrilled at how many orders came in through word of mouth and as a result of sample tasting at some of the wedding fairs we attend.”

The pair regularly introduce new flavours to keep the customers pleased and surprised. Some of their Christmas flavours included Christmas Pudding, White Chocolate Snowball and Chocolate Orange. The oncoming spring 2016 flavours are expected to have Apple & Elderflower scents.

They usually sell up to 17 different flavours to each market, served in colourful egg boxes which they encourage customers to recycle or refill from them at a discount price.

What are their plans for the future? According to mother and daughter, “our aim for 2016 is to have our macarons available to buy online. Until then, macaron lovers in the area can continue to collect them from our base in South Jesmond or have them delivered for a small charge.”