Cake shed owners face fines for trading and licensing violations
Authorities have warned that owners of cake sheds could face fines if they fail to comply with trading and licensing laws, as part of a crackdown on unregulated food sales.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Cake sheds, the small roadside stalls selling homemade baked goods on an honesty system, have become a popular side hustle in communities across the West Country. But owners are now being warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to comply with trading and licensing laws.
Amy Page, who runs a baking business from her home, built her own cake shed on her front drive two years ago after leaving an accounting job. She now sells around 250 items a week, up from 30 when she started. However, she says many people do not realise the legal requirements involved. Sellers must register with the local council at least 28 days before they start trading, and they need to follow labelling rules such as Natasha's Law to list ingredients and avoid allergic reactions.
Some owners have already been hit with fines for operating without a licence, while the cost of obtaining one can be similar to the penalty. Personal finance expert Jasmine Birtles warned that hobby bakers need to make a reasonable profit to cover costs, including ingredients, packaging, and public liability insurance. She said: "If anybody thinks that they have a problem after eating your cakes, they could sue you and that can be very expensive."
The Local Government Association said it is up to individual councils to decide how to enforce licensing rules, and that expanding trading standards could speed up processing times for cake shed owners. For now, those like Amy Page continue to navigate the red tape while trying to make their communities a little sweeter.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Cake shed owners face fines of up to £1,000 for operating without a licence, must register 28 days before trading, and are recommended to have public liability insurance. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the human interest side of the cake shed trend, highlighting the story of one owner, Amy Page, and the practical challenges of complying with regulations. It balances the appeal of the side hustle with a clear warning about fines and hidden costs, using expert commentary to underline the financial risks. The tone is sympathetic but informative, aiming to inform viewers who might be considering starting their own cake shed.
- “I wanted to leave an accounting job that wasn't very enjoyable and I thought, what can I do from home? And baking was that.”
- “There's a lot of set-ups that you have to do. Registering with the council, you have to do 28 days before you actually start trading, which a lot of people don't realise.”
- “Some cake shed owners have found themselves at the mercy of local authority fines of up to £1,000 for operating without a licence, while obtaining one can also cost similar amounts every year.”
Broadcast Timeline
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