How to start a cake shed

Register and check the premises

A regular, organised cake shed is likely to be a food business, even when it is small or run from home. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, register with your local authority at least 28 days before trading. Registration is free.

The official starting a food business guide covers registration, premises and training. A particular food hygiene certificate is not compulsory, but suitable food hygiene knowledge and training are needed. Check the appropriate arrangements with your council if you are in Scotland.

Before building, ask the council whether your proposed location or business use needs permission. Tell your insurer what you plan to do and check any tenancy or mortgage conditions that apply.

Plan food safety before choosing the menu

Choose products you can prepare, transport and display safely in your actual setup. A brownie or cake is not automatically safe for a whole day at room temperature: the recipe, filling, storage and shelf life matter.

Food requiring chilled storage must be kept at 8°C or below in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; this is recommended in Scotland. The government recommends a fridge setting of 5°C or below. Follow the official chilling guidance and agree suitable controls for your products with your food safety team.

Get the packaging and labels checked

Do not treat all wrapped food as the same legal category. Our allergen labelling guide explains where to start with PPDS, prepacked and loose food. Keep recipes and labels up to date together.

Make the shed easy to use

Use cleanable surfaces and protect food from weather, pests and contamination. Leave room to read labels and prices. Plan how often you will check stock, temperatures where relevant, and the condition of the display.

Price from your own costs

Include ingredients, packaging, energy, your time, unsold stock and payment fees. Start with a manageable batch and use actual sales to decide what to bake next, rather than relying on another shed’s income claims.

Keep the cash tin and add a card option

HonestyBox adds QR payments for customers without coins. Customers need an internet connection to pay. There is no monthly subscription; the charge is 5% per transaction plus Stripe fees. See pricing and keep records of both cash and card takings.

Read the tax guide before assuming a small stall has nothing to report.

Reviewed 6 September 2026. Check the linked official guidance for changes and advice for your location.