Reshmi Bennett, the baker who sparked a viral row with a free "yellow train" cake for Binky Felstead’s son, has taken on local councils threatening to charge mothers £1 ,007 for a licence to sell homemade treats from their driveways. The controversy centres on Bassetlaw District Council in Nottinghamshire, where officials say some cake sheds could earn up to £90,000 a year, prompting a proposal for a compulsory street‑trading licence.

£1,007 licence proposal sparks outrage among "cake shed" owners

In Bassetlaw, a group of home bakers who operate weekend "cake sheds" have mobilised against a council‑mandated licence that would cost £1,007 to obtain, according to the district council’s statements. The coucnil argues the fee reflects potential earnings, estimating some sheds could generate as much as £90,000 annually.

Reshmi Bennett used her Instagram platform to label the move a "kill‑off" of entrepreneurial spirit, claiming councils "hate community" and "fresh home‑made baked goods without preservatives". She highlighted that many shed owners already comply with existing health regulations , including registration with the local Environmental Health Officer.

Legal and health compliance already in place, says Bennett

Bennett pointed out that any food producer, whether home‑based or commercial, must be registered with the local council and subject to inspection for food safety, hygiene,allergen labelling and HACCP procedures. She argued that the new licence would duplicate requirements that are "already covered" and would penalise legitimate hobby bakers.

She also shared a snapshot of Elsa, who runs the Sticky Whisks cake shed in Aldershot while holding a civil‑service job, to illustrate that many operators juggle multiple responsibilities and rely on the sheds for modest supplemental income.

Council officials pause deliberationns, next meeting set for July 22

Bassetlaw District Council announced that councillors could not reach a consensus on the licence policy and have postponed further action. A spokesperson said the council will revisit the issue at a meeting scheduled for July 22, leaving the future of the licence uncertain.

Meanwhile, other councils across England have faced similar backlash, with mothers and small‑scale bakers warning that the fees could force them to shut down their beloved weekend stalls.

Who stands to gain or lose from the proposed licence?

The council’s rationale is financial: a licence fee could capture revenue from high‑earning sheds, but critics argue it disproportionately targets low‑income families who bake to supplement wages.. Bennett asked, "how is a little cake shed a threat to your business?!" highlighting the asymmetry between large commercial bakeries and community‑level sellers.

Sarah Baker, a mother‑of‑three who runs a cake shed, expressed fear that the new rules could force her to close her stall, underscoring the personal impact of the policy.

What remains unclear about the licence scheme?

Key questions linger: Will the council apply the licence uniformly across all home‑based food sellers, or target only those exceeding a certain turnover? And how will enforcement be funded and monitored without over‑burdening small operators? The council has not released a detailed impact assessment, leaving these points open for debate.