The cake box/shed menace
Discussion
I'm not sure this is quite the right area for this but we get more sensible discussion here so I'll run with it but is anyone else suffering from the proliferation of cake boxes or even cake sheds going up in residential areas?
We are over run with them here Im all for commerce but not so much for eating random cakes prepared in unknown conditions in someone's kitchen. Probably with cats on the work surfaces.
There's been uproar locally as the council asked a young lady to remove a bloody awful looking purple shed from the front of her garden. It was an eyesore and totally out of keeping with the surroundings. Of course all the locals that don't have to look at it every day are in loud support but I suspect the people on the street hate it being there plus the cars pulling up on a street littered with cars anyway. Ironically this particular lady used to run the actual village cake shop but sold it. Now she's trying to compete with no overheads vs the "proper" shop. I dare say she wouldn't have liked that when she was paying all of her dues in a proper business.
To me it's the sort of thing you'd really encourage kids to do but we have grown adults effectively running lemonade stalls. A little box on the end of the drive ok quirky but people always have to take it too far. I mean look at this
We are over run with them here Im all for commerce but not so much for eating random cakes prepared in unknown conditions in someone's kitchen. Probably with cats on the work surfaces.
There's been uproar locally as the council asked a young lady to remove a bloody awful looking purple shed from the front of her garden. It was an eyesore and totally out of keeping with the surroundings. Of course all the locals that don't have to look at it every day are in loud support but I suspect the people on the street hate it being there plus the cars pulling up on a street littered with cars anyway. Ironically this particular lady used to run the actual village cake shop but sold it. Now she's trying to compete with no overheads vs the "proper" shop. I dare say she wouldn't have liked that when she was paying all of her dues in a proper business.
To me it's the sort of thing you'd really encourage kids to do but we have grown adults effectively running lemonade stalls. A little box on the end of the drive ok quirky but people always have to take it too far. I mean look at this
fridaypassion said:
To me it's the sort of thing you'd really encourage kids to do but we have grown adults effectively running lemonade stalls
I strongly disagree. There's a great many people that publicly and loudly wallow in self pity that they can't make ends meet blaming the world and his dog for all their woes waiting for someone else to help them out. Then there are those that get off their arses and do something about it. They figure out a way to make some money, put in some effort and do it. We should be supporting these people and encouraging more to do the same.
As to the shed. I can understand why some may disapprove. But would the same view hold if its sole purpose was to store a lawn mower and a rake? The issue seems to be that it's not in-keeping with the surroundings but from what I can see in the picture, the surroundings epitomise the dullness of a drab, early 70s housing estate that could actually do with a bit of colour and joy.
With regards to the suggestion of cakes being made in unsanitary conditions..... You will find that this type of business is better at self regulation than formal business that are heavily regulated. Those that have the gumption to set up a business like this have the gumption to know that if they sell something with so much as a single hair baked in, word will quickly get round on the local Facebook page and that's the end of their business. Then consider the number of restaurants, take-aways and pubs that suffer low health rankings or even bouts of food poisoning that continue to trade.
s p a c e m a n said:
What that says to me is that even someone with an established business can't make the maths work with the overheads of a shop, I doubt that her dream was to be flogging her stuff out of a shed on her driveway.
Who says it was a 'dream'. What's wrong with just doing something to make some money? The people who set these sorts of businesses up don't have grand visions of becoming the next Greggs or Gails (although by setting something up, they at least have the opportunity to then pursue such an aim).Edited by StevieBee on Friday 10th April 08:31
StevieBee said:
Who says it was a 'dream'. What's wrong with just doing something to make some money? The people who set these sorts of businesses up don't have grand visions of becoming the next Greggs or Gails (although by setting something up, they at least have the opportunity to then pursue such an aim).
Agree with the above, Good luck to them. Anyone who is prepared to have a go should be applauded. Not everyone has resource to follow the trodden paths into commerce, so long as its legal and not anti social then fair play.Edited by StevieBee on Friday 10th April 08:31
I live on a similar 1970's estate, & recently a brightly coloured & decorated coffee van started being parked in a neighbours front garden. At first my reaction was similar to the OP's, but then I thought - as per above sentiments - why not?
It's cheerful & presumably whoever owns it is attempting to make some money. So good for them.
(PH Link - I think it's based om=n a Peugot van, about the size of a VW campervan of the 1960's).
It's cheerful & presumably whoever owns it is attempting to make some money. So good for them.
(PH Link - I think it's based om=n a Peugot van, about the size of a VW campervan of the 1960's).
48k said:
"menace" 
"suffering from the proliferation of cake boxes"
OP if you ever give up the day job you could write for the Daily Mail.
I'm sure you would love it next door. Your home is for your quiet enjoyment its not just the out of place structure its the comings and goings of the cars. The streets where this thing is located are full of cars bumped up kerbs so it a slalom to get down the street. Now I don't live own this street my word can you imagine a PH peak Director/stair dominator living in this environment? But I do feel for the people that have to put up with it. It's not a high street it's a residential street and people should have every right to a peaceful time in their houses. "suffering from the proliferation of cake boxes"
OP if you ever give up the day job you could write for the Daily Mail.
Venisonpie said:
StevieBee said:
Who says it was a 'dream'. What's wrong with just doing something to make some money? The people who set these sorts of businesses up don't have grand visions of becoming the next Greggs or Gails (although by setting something up, they at least have the opportunity to then pursue such an aim).
Agree with the above, Good luck to them. Anyone who is prepared to have a go should be applauded. Not everyone has resource to follow the trodden paths into commerce, so long as its legal and not anti social then fair play.Edited by StevieBee on Friday 10th April 08:31
My wife tried to build her own business but after 4 years it became apparent that it wasn't worth continuing as she could earn twice the money just going back into her original manager role with way less stress and fewer hours. She loved the work and was top of the game but if you're just lining everyone else's pockets with rent and rates what's the point
Venisonpie said:
Agree with the above, Good luck to them. Anyone who is prepared to have a go should be applauded. Not everyone has resource to follow the trodden paths into commerce, so long as its legal and not anti social then fair play.
I absolutely agree with people giving it a go I'm in business of course I do but not to the detriment of the neighbours. Again I'm pretty sure Steviebee would be horrified if this was next door to his house. It's a bloody eyesaw I mean the pallet really sets it off but it's still awful.
We have a few round here, possibly annoying for the neighbours, I don’t know.
Some of the them get proper big hype and limited amount available
The OG cake lady put hers out on Halloween with suitable treats.
The local fat kid from the gobs
te family was seen helping himself, the cctv of his little fat arm reaching in was comical
We live on a busy but slow road off an estate, the area outside our house would be ideal, I’ve joked with the wife about buying some lidl bits, adding a bit of dog hair or whatever and then putting my 500% margin on
My folks do a lot of euro cycling and they use these things a lot as a treat
Some of the them get proper big hype and limited amount available
The OG cake lady put hers out on Halloween with suitable treats.
The local fat kid from the gobs
te family was seen helping himself, the cctv of his little fat arm reaching in was comicalWe live on a busy but slow road off an estate, the area outside our house would be ideal, I’ve joked with the wife about buying some lidl bits, adding a bit of dog hair or whatever and then putting my 500% margin on
My folks do a lot of euro cycling and they use these things a lot as a treat
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