Bassetlaw District Council has announced it will pause all enforcement action against cake shed owners whilst reviewing its street trading policy.
The decision came after a public backlash against a £1,007 annual licensing fee and £1,000 fines imposed on home bakers. Natalie Brook, who operates a cake shed in Rhodesia selling baked goods through an honesty system, called the pause "brilliant news". She had previously said the licence fee was "ridiculous" for a small garden business.
Council leaders acknowledged they had seen "public reaction to the introduction of this policy and the impact it could have on residents". June Evans, cabinet member for governance and licensing, said the authority recognised "the community benefit these enterprises can have in some areas".
The council introduced the licensing requirement after determining that cake sheds fell under street trading rules because of food safety, hygiene monitoring and potential impacts on neighbours. However, the scale of the policy has prompted the review.
The street trading policy itself remains in place and continues to cover other traders such as burger vans and market traders. The licensing committee will now examine whether the fees and charges for cake sheds are appropriate.