Killjoy councils clamp down on mothers selling brownies in their driveways – with ‘cake shed’ owners forced to pay £1,000 to operate

Councils are imposing restrictions on middle-class mothers selling brownies outside their homes, and some ‘cake shack’ owners are being ordered to pay up to £1,000 if they want to continue operating.

Small, decorated sheds filled with home-made goods are an increasingly prominent sight on the UK’s suburban streets.

The brightly painted huts, which operate on an honesty box or QR code system, have drawn queues of locals who in some cases gathered to buy a treat.

While the business idea is hugely popular, a growing number of councils are looking to introduce compulsory licensing as a result.

A group of pie bar owners in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, are campaigning against the introduction of a council-mandated street trading license costing £1,007.

The district council, which believes some sheds can generate up to £90,000 a year, insisted those who fail to obtain the licence could face a £1,000 fine.

Although the practice was briefly halted last month, councilors are set to make a decision soon on the fate of middle-class mothers looking to sell their homemade products.

Natalie Brook, 37, who briefly closed her beloved cake hut due to ‘ridiculous’ policies, described the looming decision as a ‘make it or break it’ moment for similar owners.

Brightly painted sheds operating on an honesty box or QR code system are a heartwarming way for communities to come together and have become a popular trend on TikTok

While the business idea is hugely popular, a growing number of councils are opposing the rise of driveway bakeries and are looking to introduce compulsory licences, as a result.

“I find it strange that I can sell from my front door but not from my shed, which is less than a meter from my front door,” he told the BBC.

‘If people can afford a few pounds for a cake and they’re using it as a little treat during the cost of living crisis, then that’s great and I want to be a part of it.’

And Natalie is certainly not the only baking enthusiast affected by the council’s nationwide restrictions on driveway sales.

Mum-of-three Sarah Baker opened her cake hut in Maidstone last September to earn extra money. However, he was very surprised to learn that he could be fined if he did not apply for a street trading license.

‘I was really gutted, because I thought I was working hard, having a little thing, and then I could lose that money, that little income,’ he said.

‘I’m honestly devastated because you work so hard and put your heart into building this. It’s really sad that I could lose this if I can’t afford to do this. I feel like they’re trying to take everything away from you.

‘I think this is just another way of making money from us. I just think it’s unfair. We worked hard for nine months and he could go. ‘I could lose it all.’

Now Sarah is opposing trade license proposals and wants any decision made by the council to be fair to those who run bakeries on their own property rather than on the street.

He says if he has to get a street trading licence, it is unlikely he will be able to continue trading as he tends to earn between £60 and £100 at the weekend.

Small, decorated sheds filled with delicious home-made produce are an increasingly prominent sight on the UK’s suburban streets

Mel Houston, who runs a cake hut (pictured) in her garden in the Kent village of Harrietsham, was forced to close it after discovering the council might require her to get a licence.

A group of pie bar owners in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, are campaigning against the introduction of a council-mandated street trading license which costs an eye-watering £1,007 to obtain. Image: A cake hut selling homemade products

Sarah, who cares for her parents from home, says the cake hut provides her with a flexible, supplementary income that she can balance with her care work.

‘I don’t think it’s fair for us to pay this’ [trading licence] “We were never told about it in the first place,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mel Houston, who runs a pie hut in her garden in the nearby village of Harrietsham, was forced to close it after discovering the council might require her to get a licence.

The dementia carer opened the cottage just a few months ago, once a week on a Sunday, and said her kitchen was her ‘happy place’.

The 51-year-old has a five-star hygiene rating, level two food safety and hygiene certification and food safety allergen awareness but has learned he could face a fine because he does not have a licence.

‘It kicked in the teeth a bit,’ he said. ‘I hung up immediately. More than anything, I’m disheartened and feel sorry for the residents as this has brought the community together.’

A report prepared by council officers for Bassetlaw’s licensing committee said: ‘The inclusion of pie huts in street trading policy ensures consistency, fairness and protection of the public.

‘They operate in the same way as traditional street trading units and without regulation they create an uneven playing field and reduce safety, location and the ability to manage standards and can then lead to enforcement difficulties.’

A Maidstone council spokesman said: ‘Street trading legislation may apply where goods are sold in public places, including residential buildings in some cases. However, this is not always easy and each case needs to be considered individually.

‘Maidstone council is aware of the concerns raised by small scale operators such as ‘cake shacks’. Many of these are low-level, home-based businesses that are already properly registered with Environmental Health, and we recognize the positive role they play in local communities.

‘The Council’s current Street Trading Policy has not been designed with this type of activity in mind and we recognize that it may appear disproportionate when applied in these circumstances.

‘As a result, we are actively reviewing the position to ensure that the approach we take in meeting our legal obligations is fair, proportionate and supports small local businesses.

‘Currently when inquiries are received our focus is on providing advice and clarity rather than enforcement.

‘Any action will be assessed solely on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature and impact of the activity. The same principles apply for other examples, such as the sale of eggs from residential properties, and this will depend on the specific circumstances, including the scale and nature of the operation.

‘We would advise anyone who is unsure to contact the council for advice.’