An elderly lady who ran a cake shop in Camberwell for almost 40 years and was described as baking joy into the community sadly passed away this month aged of 82.
Tributes have begun pouring in for Margaret Akrong, the beloved baker behind Margaret’s Cakes of Distinction, who died suddenly on November 1.
The octogenarian worked five days a week and was said to rarely take a holiday running her shop right up until the end.
Margaret came over to Britain from Ghana in the 1960s as a student and made Camberwell her home in 1980 when she moved to the Wyndham Estate with her husband William ‘Bill’ Branch.
In 1989 the two went into business together, opening up a cake decorating shop on Camberwell Road, fulfilling a lifelong dream of Margaret’s.
“Margaret was in charge of the cakes, while her husband Bill took care of the business side,” remembered Stephen Bourne, a friend and customer.
Margaret’s beloved Bill passed away in 2018, which she “never really got over” according to Stephen.
She baked all kinds of goods, from sumptuous Jamaican rum cakes to classic sponges. Each cake was beautifully hand-decorated by Margaret herself, adorned with flowers, woven baskets, footballs and other personal touches tailored to the lucky recipient.
“Last year, on my birthday, she called me and told me she had something for me,” recalled Stephen. “When I visited her shop, Margaret gave me the most beautiful birthday cake which had been pre-ordered by a mutual friend.
Relatedarticles
“I was thrilled but said, ‘Oh Margaret, I cannot eat this!’ She looked confused. I explained: ‘It is too lovely to cut into. It is a work of art!’ With that she burst out laughing.”
But it wasn’t Margaret’s beautiful cakes that made her such a well-loved figure in the community, although this certainly didn’t hold her back.
“She was kind, considerate and hard-working,” continued Stephen. “She was a much-loved member of the Camberwell community and will be missed.”
Marie Staunton, the Secretary of the SE5 Forum and who knew Margaret for many years, added that Margaret did more than just create delicious baked goods: “Margaret baked joy.
“She was always accessible, knew all her neighbours by name, traded stories with people, and quietly stitched our community together.”
Margaret first came to Britain as a little girl with her dad for a holiday and was endlessly enthusiastic about the country she adopted as her home and its people.
Interviewed for a short video segment about her life back in 2013, Margaret said she was inspired by the opportunities available in Britain: “Anything you want in this world is there, but you just have to work hard for it.
“Too many people who come to Britain don’t take the opportunities that are on offer.”
Opening a cake shop was her dream – and she had unrealised ambitions to also start a second branch back in her home country of Ghana: “Back in Ghana people are more willing to learn. Over here, not so much.”
But where she might have felt the English fell short in their cake-decorating skills, they made up for it elsewhere: “The people here are very nice, very tolerant.”
Margaret was also an energetic participant in the annual Eat Around The World Festival in Camberwell Green, teaching free cake-decorating classes with “humour, patience and flair”, according to Marie, who also added:
“As a trader and friend, Margaret championed local business, showed up for good causes and lifted others to shine.”
The SE5 Forum will be holding a minute of silence next Monday (November 17) in honour of Margaret’s life at their meeting at the United Reformed Church in Love Walk.
They are also in discussions about organising a plaque and a memorial event to honour Margaret’s contribution to the Camberwell community.
Anyone who would like to share their memories of Margaret or make a suggestion about how to commemorate her is encouraged to drop by the community market stall on Camberwell Green which is there on Saturdays from 10–3pm.
Margaret Akrong passed away on November 1st 2025 at the age of 82.
My name is Linnette I studied at Margaret’s Bakery in 2014 I met Bill her husband who was so charming it has been such a honour to been taught by someone with passion,commitment and professionalism. I will so truly miss Margaret I saw her about 5 weeks ago with my Granddaughter. Margret was a real artist in her work many cake decorators and Bakeries admire her work. Trully an original gem who everyone will miss.