Yes, you can sell cakes from home in the UK, but you must register as a food business with your local council at least 28 days before starting, comply with strict food hygiene/allergen laws (like Natasha's Law), get appropriate training, and potentially sort out planning permission and insurance, as your home kitchen will be inspected by an Environmental Health Officer (EHO).
And YES, you need a specific license from your local authorities before you can bake and sell LEGALLY from your home kitchen. BUT don't let that put you off! It's actually really simple to get your Home Bakery business license (or certificate) and other official documents.
Do I need insurance to sell cakes from home in the UK?
Working from home or out of a dedicated bakehouse, you'll need some form of insurance to protect your equipment, fixtures and fittings. If you don't have insurance, you stand to lose a lot more than the cost of a claim. For example; Downtime in getting orders fulfilled.
From chewy cookies to lemon bars and ice cream cone cupcakes, these bake sale ideas are sweet, shareable and perfect for school events or community fundraisers. There's a reason bake sales are timeless; they bring people together over sweets that spark smiles.
You'll need to register with Environmental Health. This can be done by contacting your local authority and being transferred to their Environmental Health Department. Inform them that you are starting up a cake business from home and they will talk you through the necessary steps to get you registered.
Can I sell Cakes from Home in the UK? Homebased Cake Business in the U.K.
What are the legal requirements for selling cakes from home UK?
Your home will need to be registered with the Council as a food business. This is free, and there is only one simple form to fill in, but it is a legal requirement and you can be prosecuted if you do not register before starting.
Do I need a food hygiene rating to sell cakes from home?
Do I need a food hygiene certificate? While a food hygiene certificate isn't compulsory it is strongly recommended by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and other official bodies. Under EU law, anyone working with food must have appropriate training for their role.
If a customer comes to collect a home baked cake you have made and trips and injures themselves on your premises, you could be liable to a substantial claim. Public liability insurance for Home Bakery Liability can provide protection from these incidents.
How do I report someone selling food from home UK?
If you are a whistleblower or wish to report a food crime, please click on the start button on this page and complete the webform. Alternatively, contact the National Food Crime Unit confidential hotline on 0800 028 1180. For non- UK mobiles or calls from overseas please use 0207 276 8787.
Home-made cakes should also be safe, as long as the people who make them observe good food hygiene, and the cakes are stored and transported safely. them, and make sure that they are well within their “use by” and “best before” dates.
What happens if you get caught delivering food without food insurance?
If caught delivering food without proper Hire & Reward (H&R) insurance, you face serious penalties, including hefty fines (up to £300+ or unlimited in court), points on your license, potential driving disqualification, and vehicle seizure, because regular car insurance doesn't cover paid deliveries, and it's an illegal act, meaning your claim if you cause an accident would be denied and you'd be liable for all damages.
Low-risk sole traders can secure policies from around $39 a month, while high-risk operators—think scaffolding or large events—may face premiums well above $20,000. The figure on your quote hinges on industry risk, turnover, cover limit, location and any past claims. Price, though, is only half the story.
Does a self-employed person need public liability insurance?
Do I need sole trader liability insurance? Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for sole traders. But there are very few businesses that can safely operate without it. Whether you're a florist or a plumber, you're likely to be exposed to risks that may require public liability cover.
Yes, you can sell cakes without a physical shop. Home baking and online sales are great options. Just ensure you register your business and follow food safety regulations to keep your customers safe and stay within the law.
How to sell baked goods from home without a license?
If you're planning a one-off bake sale for a charity or good cause, you don't need to register as a business or plan for an EHO inspection. However, the Food Standards Agency still advises home bakers to learn about food safety, even if you only sell cakes occasionally and not to profit as a business.
Depending on where you are operating your business, you may need to register your business with your local council at least 28 days before operation. Requirements and fees for this registration can vary depending on the local council – some councils may charge a fee for the registration and inspection process.
The Two Cakes Rule asserts that while the artist may judge themselves against the best in the field, the audience is usually glad to see an increased number of offerings. It is an expression of how audiences appreciate art, even when it seems less fancy than other art.
Yes, you can. It's best practice to decorate the cake as close to the day of serving as possible, but it will also store well in the fridge. If the icing or frosting has any perishable ingredients, we recommend storing the cake in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible.
Although public liability insurance is not a legal requirement, failing to acquire this sort of cover could land you with a large bill if an incident arises where your company is sued for the likes of personal injury damage and associated compensation – this may run into several thousands of pounds, which is not ...
What is public liability insurance for home bakers?
Public liability insurance for bakers provides cover if your work injures a member of the public or damages their property. This type of insurance could mean you're protected if someone slips on a wet floor in your bakery.
You need public liability insurance if your business interacts with the public, visits client premises, hosts events, or operates from a space clients visit, as it covers claims for injury or property damage, protecting you from potentially devastating financial costs, even if it's often not legally mandatory for most businesses. Ask yourself if clients, customers, or the general public could get hurt or their property damaged due to your work; if the answer is yes, you likely need it.
Deliveries should be outside 7am - 7pm where possible. If 18tn+ vehicles are used for these trips please consider the London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) restrictions.
To deliver food and takeaways, you'll need hire and reward or commercial travelling insurance. This covers anyone using their car to deliver third-party goods in return for payment. It's worth mentioning that this is the minimum legal requirement, which covers you for driving the food-delivery vehicle.
