A TikTok comedian has criticised a central London pub after being charged a £7 per person 'cakeage fee' to bring a supermarket birthday cake for her girlfriend's 30th birthday. Helena Moody, 30, was told by the unnamed venue that the fee would apply for all 20 guests, amounting to £140.
In a video that has garnered over 300,000 views, Moody expressed her disbelief at the charge, stating that the pub did not even sell cake on its menu. She joked that the term 'cakeage' seemed like a made-up version of the wine corkage fee.
Despite the fee, Moody decided to bring the cake to the party. She told her group to celebrate outside the venue once the booking ended, where they sang Happy Birthday. A staff member then asked them to move across the road.
Moody acknowledged the tough times for the hospitality industry, saying she 'respected' the pub for implementing the fee but thought it 'took the proverbial p***'. She noted that the fee might cover additional washing-up but found the amount excessive.
Social media users were divided. Some called the fee 'diabolical', while others defended the pub, pointing out that bringing outside cake means lost dessert sales. One restaurant owner commented that birthday parties rarely order desserts anyway.
The incident highlights the growing trend of 'cakeage fees' in UK venues, as the industry struggles with rising costs and closures, estimated at one pub per day.
