Advice Needed!!! - Cake business from home

Craig_Charles

texranger wrote: »

i think it is the OP who is doing this as they seems to know alot about what this persons mortgage company states and home insurance building and contents policy states.

also "They only ever have people coming to the house to pick up cakes and sometimes sell them from hired stalls" how would they know this unless it was them

why do those wanting genuine help use "I know some one" " i am posting because a friend" "i am posting this on behalf of a mate" rather than just be open about facts

Haha, close, but it's not me and it's a sensitive issue because I work for a mortgage company....

Craig_Charles

Those of you that want to help thanks it's appreciated.

Those who want to tear holes in my original post, accuse me of trying to stitch some one up or suggest that I am posting this for me but I am making out it's some one else then seriously get a grip. I thought this forum was about helping people.

I have said this person is close to me... I have said I work for a mortgage company.. Technically what she is doing is illegal. I am trying to push her to do the right thing. I thought if I shared my thoughts here I might come across other people that have been in a similar situation.

Mistral001

Craig_Charles wrote: »

Those of you that want to help thanks it's appreciated.

Those who want to tear holes in my original post, accuse me of trying to stitch some one up or suggest that I am posting this for me but I am making out it's some one else then seriously get a grip. I thought this forum was about helping people.

I have said this person is close to me... I have said I work for a mortgage company.. Technically what she is doing is illegal. I am trying to push her to do the right thing. I thought if I shared my thoughts here I might come across other people that have been in a similar situation.

Basically you have made a judgement on your "friend" which is demonstarted here by your use of such words and phrases as "the right thing" and "illegal". It is up to the authorities to judge ehether what she is doing is illegal. And the "right thing", well that is subjective and some may believe is up to a higher power and not you.

You say that you do not want her to get in trouble, but in effect you have increased her chances of getting in trouble by posting on this forum as it is an open forum.

If you are worried about being associatd with a person who is, in your judgement, taking part in criminal activities and is in someway doing wrongful things, then you just have to stop seeing her. However, should this friend find out that you have posted here in the way that you have done, I suspect you will not have to make that decision as your friend will make her own decison about whether to be associated with you.

texranger

Craig_Charles wrote: »

Those of you that want to help thanks it's appreciated.

Those who want to tear holes in my original post, accuse me of trying to stitch some one up or suggest that I am posting this for me but I am making out it's some one else then seriously get a grip. I thought this forum was about helping people.

I have said this person is close to me... I have said I work for a mortgage company.. Technically what she is doing is illegal. I am trying to push her to do the right thing. I thought if I shared my thoughts here I might come across other people that have been in a similar situation.

well these 4 lines of your opening post

They currently have public liability insurance which is good.

They only ever have people coming to the house to pick up cakes and sometimes sell them from hired stalls

Their mortgage company state that under their terms they cannot run a business from the property that involves clients visiting the property!!

The home insurance building and contents policy could also be void if they were aware a business was being operated from the property

are things the person involved will only know which does imply you are the one involved and it is not for a friend or neighbour.

you have not mentioned that you work for a mortgage company and even if you did and this person is a client then i wish you good luck in finding a new job, but this will never be in the mortgage business again as discussing what you have is a breach of your mortgage companies polices of customer privacy.

laurajayne

Regardless of who is the actual cake maker, here are my thoughts (as a full time cake decorator myself).

Firstly, above all else, the safety of her customers should be her top priority. Why isn't she registered? Because she obviously thinks she'd fail. Why would she fail? Because her kitchen isn't hygenic enough! And she wants to sell food....that would set alarm bells ringing for me - but I'm sure she's not sharing that information out.

To be honest, the inspection is usually quite simple - as cake making is low risk anyway. It's up to each area to make up their minds, but they know it's a home, and therefore will make allowances. I have a dog, and I passed - he just isn't allowed in the kitchen whilst I have food out (along with some other things I have to do).

I'm pretty sure her insurance would be nul and void, if someone sued because they got food poisoning, then no insurance company in their right mind would pay out, as she's not registered.

She's also not doing a very good job of flying under the radar either. If she's selling at markets, then chances are, an EHO will attend one - she may well get caught that way. I know my EHO attends our local village fete every year.

All it takes, is one upset customer - or a competitor with a grudge, and she'd find herself in trouble. For the sake of a phone call, is it worth it!?

chalkie99

I'm pretty sure her insurance would be nul and void, if someone sued because they got food poisoning, then no insurance company in their right mind would pay out, as she's not registered.

It's important to note the difference between "Public Liability" and "Products "Liability" insurance cover.

Public Liability would only cover you for things such as accidents, e.g customer slipping on your path, tripping over the doorstep, etc.

It will not cover for claims arising from products you have made such as food poisoning or allergic reactions from poorly labelled products, etc.

You need separate Products Liability insurance for this. It's not part of your general Public Liability policy.

texranger

i work from home ( not cake making) but all i did was inform my home insurers, and provided them with my business insurance details and they said OK, no problem.
but i dare say it would be differnet with a food business.
you will need full business insurance (public, product and employer liability) and equipment insurance also if you are trading at fair/markets insurance for stock etc. as a lot of fairs will need to see a copy of any insurance you have especially if its food related.

for specialist insurance get them to have a word with http://www.gmimberltd.com

Craig_Charles

you guys are hilarious!

She is not a mortgage client !!!!!!!! Do you think I'd be discussing a mortgage customer on here? I'd have to be bloody stupid beyond belief! You guys have far too much time on your hands and an over active imagination.

Laura and Chalkie Thanks so much what you have said is exactly what I wanted to know and good to know that someone can have a dog and pass subject to criteria.

And to all you detective wannabes if you want to know my motive for being so cagey it is because I am involved with this person it's not a question of me getting on my moral high ground or anything and it's not a case of me passing judgement either!

Secondly I already told her I posted here and she's fine with it, you don't know her from adam and come to think of it you don't know me either! All you know is that I was in Red Dwarf!

Craig_Charles

Thanks Tex

texranger

i only said what i said is because with the way you wrote the post and them 4 lines, it makes it sounded as you know this info then it must be you.

there are a lot of post that are placed here where they say " its on behalf of a friend/neighbour/mate" but reading between the lines you can tell it is the OP and no one else involved.