The owner of a viral cake shed in Birmingham fears she might have to consider closing if the council introduces a street trading licence. Danielle Edginton's cute and colourful Lavender Shed became a TikTok sensation for selling delicious sweet treats from the doorstep of her Kings Heath home.
Sweet-toothed customers pick what they want and pay by placing cash in an envelope which they slot through the letterbox or via a QR code. These sheds have soared in popularity across the country and been particularly embraced by busy mothers who want a tidy side hustle without leaving the home.
Council scrutiny on cake sheds
Now it seems some councils want a slice of this culinary pie. There was uproar after Bassettlaw District Council, in Nottinghamshire, told a group of cake shed owners they needed to stump up £1,000 for a street trading licence or face a fine. This move has now been paused following the objections, but Maidstone Borough Council in Kent has told home-bakers that they must pay for the licence.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council said they are currently in the process of clarifying if street trading consent is needed while also recognising "the community benefit these enterprises can have." Danielle, 41, a mother of two, emailed the council on May 6 asking if she needed one after seeing posts on social media and fears the cost could make her rethink.
Concerns over affordability
She said: "So far I have had no response. It is my understanding that Birmingham City Council are looking into this to decide what to do. Fees in Birmingham for a street trading license are in excess of £3,000 for suburban areas with an application fee of around £750. This just wouldn't be affordable for me and many other smaller cake sheds."
"As food businesses, we are already subject to strict legislation around health and safety, labelling and allergens as well as having public liability insurance, when we register as a food business and are inspected. So this is less about making the public safe and more about local councils wanting to take some of the profits us small businesses are making."
"Having a cake shed on our own property is no different from someone collecting a bespoke order or pre ordered item. We also do not feel the benefit of high foot traffic areas such as those who already have to have a street trading licence in more commercial areas so I feel it is unfair to make us pay the same fees. If the council were to charge cake shed owners the same fees I would most likely have to close my shed which would have a massive impact on me and my family."
Council response
Birmingham City Council said: "We know that 'cake sheds' are a growing trend in the country, and recognise the community benefit these enterprises can have. We are considering our options about what we can do to ensure consistency and fairness for businesses, as well as ensuring safety and protection for the public. Currently the trader must register as a food business, and then food hygiene and safety inspections would be required at the locations where the food is prepared and sold. In addition, we are clarifying if street trading consent would need to be obtained."
