Profits up £200k for Christian bakery caught in ‘gay cake’ row
A Christian bakery caught up in court battle over a “gay cake” have reported an increase of €200k in their profits.
Ashers Bakery reported an increase up to £1.5m from £1.3m the previous year.
The chain saw an increase in profits despite a long court case in which they have been wrapped up in.
The Belfast flagship store was found guilty of discrimination based on sexual orientation and political or religious grounds.
Owners Daniel and Amy McArthur claimed that God considered it a sin to print pro-LGBT messages on the cake.
They refused the request of gay rights activist Gareth Lee for a cake showing the message ‘Support Gay Marriage’ above an image of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.
The bakery and the British Christian Institute, which supported the case, are liable for costs that are estimated to be more than £150,000.
However, Daniel McArthur spoke to protesters outside the 2,200-capacity Waterfront Hall in Belfast following the ruling and vowed to fight on.
Despite the increase in profits and Equality Commission ruling which found them guilty of discrimination, the bakery is still refusing to bake “gay cakes”.
Just last month, Ashers’ abruptly cancelled an order placed online for a cake celebrating the engagement of Joe Palmer and Andy Wong.
“We were thrilled when Ashers accepted our online order, and full payment of £23.40 plus £20 P&P,” Grainne McCann, who ordered the cake said. “But the next day they sent the cancellation note and a refund.
“I felt angry and sad that Ashers’ attitude to gay people is so different,” McCann added.
