Budding bakers who have set up shop in their sheds face an anxious wait to learn if they need an extra £45 yearly street trading licence or risk being shut down by the council. East Devon District Council has launched a review of its licensing rules after a growing number of would-be bakers asked to run micro-bakeries from home.
Council review underway
Currently, the authority requires each baker to have their own street trading licence, but it is 'currently reviewing our street trading policy', reports Devon Live. The situation is complicated because different councils have different rules, so a shed baker who expands to a van and sells in a neighbouring council area might face different requirements.
Baker's experience
Mikaela Bartlett, who runs The Treat Shed in Kingsteignton, started her business at home while on maternity leave with her second child, having previously worked in corporate jobs. She said: “The Treat Shed officially opened its doors at the end of April, so it’s a relatively new venture.”
Bartlett added: “I have a 5 'very good' food hygiene rating, my kitchen has been inspected - everyone who opens a food business is required to register with the council and have your kitchen inspected as we’re selling to the public. I also have public liability insurance, business insurance and have done food hygiene and allergen awareness courses.”
Licensing uncertainty
Bartlett does not need a licence to operate in her home in the Teignbridge District Council area, but if she crossed into East Devon, she would at the moment. During a council meeting, licensing manager Phillippa Norsworthy said: “This means the majority of bake sheds fall into the category of requiring street trading consent and we are dealing with them on this basis. This means that a street trading consent application must be made and it is treated to the same application criteria as all street trading consents.”
Norsworthy could not say how rules may change or when. An Institute of Licensing webinar attended by an East Devon officer suggested councils must consider the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, their own street trading policies, and their own guidance when considering consents for bake sheds.
