A baker in East Riding of Yorkshire has been forced to abandon her plans to sell leftover cakes from a roadside honesty box after discovering the hefty licensing fees required by the council. Steph Goodhand, who runs a coffee trailer business, intended to use a cake shed on her driveway to sell extra bakes left over from private functions. However, she learned that a street trading licence costing nearly £800 is mandatory for such sales, which she described as prohibitively expensive for small businesses.
The council’s regulations stipulate that a licence is necessary when operating on a business footing, which includes advertising products online or accepting card payments. Goodhand expressed frustration over the inconsistency in regulations, noting that other products sold through honesty boxes, like eggs and vegetables, do not face the same scrutiny. This discrepancy raises questions about the fairness of the rules governing small-scale food sales.
Goodhand’s experience highlights a broader issue for small businesses facing rising costs and regulatory hurdles. With profit margins on baked goods already slim, the additional financial burden of licensing can deter entrepreneurs from pursuing their ventures. She also pointed out that she had received food hygiene approval without being informed about the need for a separate trading licence, indicating a lack of communication within council departments.
As more bakers consider similar setups, the council has urged potential operators to consult both licensing and food services teams to avoid unexpected costs. This situation serves as a warning for small business owners about the complexities of local regulations and the potential barriers they may encounter in their operations.
Source: GB News
