Amateur bakers selling cakes from their own driveways in the Midlands are being hit with a £370 annual demand from the local council, which has classified the activity as street trading requiring official permission, criminal record checks, and insurance.
New Regulations for Home Bakers
Cannock Chase Council has stated that residents selling baked goods from their properties must pay for a street trading consent costing £379 per year. Additionally, they are required to undergo a DBS check at a cost of £21.50 to disclose any criminal convictions and hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million.
The council also mandates that traders achieve a five-star food hygiene rating before consent is granted. This move affects thousands of home-based cooks across the country who have turned to selling sweet treats from sheds or driveways.
Local Baker's Response
Lea Wilson, a mother of two, runs Cupcake Heaven from a shed at her home in Hednesford, near Cannock. She expressed frustration at the council's stance but felt compelled to apply for official consent to continue trading.
"The council has said we need a street trading licence as we are close to a public highway," Wilson explained. "I think it’s wrong because we’re on our own properties but we’ve had to do it to continue trading. I sell out every weekend so I’ve paid the fee and we also had to buy a DBS check as part of the application."
Wilson, who has been baking for 15 years, added: "I suppose it gets rid of the people who haven’t been inspected and who shouldn’t be doing it when we’re doing everything above board. I love the shed because I feel like it brings the community together. I’ve met a lot of people since starting last November who I now class as friends. There’s nothing better than receiving messages from people saying how much they love my bakes."
Council's Justification
A spokesperson for Cannock Chase Council explained: "Street trading is defined as selling goods in any street or public area, which can include private land if it is accessible to the public and within close proximity to a public highway. Cake sheds have only recently become a trend nationally, and although not covered specifically in the council’s street trading policy, the manner in which they operate falls within the definition of requiring street trading consent."
The cost of street trading consent for this type of activity is £369.90 per annum. Before granting consent, the council consults with appropriate organisations including police, fire safety, highways, planning, and environmental health. Street traders selling foodstuffs must hold a food hygiene rating of at least five stars. A recent DBS check and insurance covering third party and public liability risks with a minimum cover of £5 million are also required. Applications can be refused if there are public safety concerns.
Birmingham City Council has not yet introduced a similar licence for home bakers.
