Cake sheds are becoming the UK's latest obsession, with home bakers earning up to £1,000 a week from their garden huts. These simple setups involve bakers stocking their sheds with homemade treats, promoting them online, and welcoming neighbours to purchase on an honour system.
How Cake Sheds Work
The concept is straightforward: bakers prepare cakes, brownies, and other confections in their home kitchens, then display them in a garden shed. Customers browse, select items, and pay via cash, card, or bank transfer. Many sheds are unmanned, relying on trust, though some owners install CCTV for security.
According to a Reddit user on r/AskUK, four cake sheds have opened in their small town recently. Another user described finding one as "a delightful surprise!" The trend has grown rapidly, with some bakers turning their weekend hobby into a full-time career.
Michelle Wright's Success Story
Michelle Wright, 40, started M.W's Cakes & Bakes in Romsey, Hampshire, in 2020 after struggling with commuting to her hairdressing job post-childbirth. Inspired by a friend's cake shed, she baked brownies, posted in a local Facebook group, and sold out within three days. Now, she bakes 200 treats weekly, working over 40 hours, and earns around £1,000 per week. After £300 in ingredient costs, her weekly profit is about £700, or £36,400 annually before tax.
Michelle operates on an honour system but has CCTV for safety. She notes occasional underpayments, but customers often apologise and correct them. Her bestseller is a smores bar with a malted biscuit base, ganache, and Italian meringue.
Legal and Hygiene Considerations
Food safety is crucial. Sylvia Anderson, a food hygiene consultant, warns about temperature control, allergen management, and contamination risks. Cakes with fresh cream or dairy must be refrigerated. Labelling is vital in unmanned sheds. Michelle scored 5/5 from the Food Standards Agency twice and uses a glass cabinet fridge for perishables.
Bakers must register with their local council 28 days before trading and may need a street trading licence. Non-compliance can result in fines up to £1,000. Both Michelle and Sandra Macpherson, another cake shed owner, are fully licensed. However, some sheds have closed due to high licence costs.
Sandra Macpherson's Journey
Sandra Macpherson, 56, from Birkenhead, Wirral, started Willowbank Cake Shed after seeing similar setups in Scotland. With a background in catering, she registered in February 2026 and launched in March, earning a 5/5 hygiene rating. She bakes 250 items each Saturday, including popular cinnamon rolls, and works 20-25 hours weekly. Sandra has cameras for security but reports overpayments from honest customers. She plans to add a summer-themed shed with a fridge for cheesecakes.
Community Impact and Future
Both bakers emphasise the community spirit. Michelle says, "It started as a passion project — it's turning into a business." Sandra adds, "People have been so encouraging; I've met lots of people in my community." The trend highlights a shift toward local, trust-based commerce, but experts stress that food safety must remain a priority. Sylvia Anderson advises proper training, registration, and monitoring to ensure cake sheds remain a positive addition to neighbourhoods.
