Devon council reviews bake shed rules amid rise in home trading ventures
As ‘bake shed’ home businesses become increasingly popular across the county, a Devon council is reviewing its street trading policy
A growing number of aspiring bakers setting up small businesses from garden sheds has prompted an East Devon council to review its street trading policies.
Because these so-called 'whisk takers' do not operate from business premises and usually sell their goods from simple sheds on their own properties, there has been debate about what licences or permissions they need.
The issue was even discussed during an Institute of Licensing webinar last month, looking at when local councils should require street trading licences or consents.
East Devon District Council said it had seen a growing number of enquiries from people wanting to run bake sheds from their properties, prompting questions about how such businesses fit within its street trading policies.
At a recent licensing meeting, its chair, Councillor Joe Whibley (Independent, Exmouth Town), said: "I do think the 'whisk takers' need to know where they stand.
"No 'bun' intended."
Phillippa Norsworthy, a licensing manager at the council, said bake sheds were treated in line with its current street trading policy.
"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," she said.
"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. However, we are currently reviewing our street trading policy."
Ms Norsworthy said no changes had yet been made to the policy, meaning there was still no further clarity on bake sheds and whether the rules around them might change.
"All street trading applications are subject to an initial application fee of £45 and an annual consent renewal fee of £45," she added.
Mikaela Bartlett runs The Treat Shed in Kingsteignton, a business she started after looking for a creative outlet during maternity leave with her second child, having previously worked in corporate roles.
While Kingsteignton is outside East Devon, the keen baker has also had to navigate the requirements of her local council.
"The Treat Shed officially opened its doors at the end of April, so it's a relatively new venture," she said.
"I have a five-star food hygiene rating. My kitchen has been inspected, everyone who opens a food business is required to register with the council and have their kitchen inspected because we're selling to the public.
"I also have public liability insurance, business insurance and have completed food hygiene and allergen awareness courses."
Ms Bartlett said Teignbridge District Council told her that a street trading licence was not required in her area.
The Institute of Licensing webinar, attended by an officer from East Devon, highlighted that councils must have regard to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, their own street trading policies and local guidance when considering applications for bake sheds.
However, Ms Norsworthy said councils "vary greatly" in how they deal with street trading applications.
She added that bake shed operators in East Devon must register with the council's environmental health team.
Street trading consent applications must include a site map, a photograph of the trading unit, proof of insurance, evidence of a food hygiene rating and other forms of identification.
The planning department is consulted on all street trading applications and would contact applicants if any planning issues arose.