Are baker’s goods for business — or just delicious?
September 12, 2008 by Shane BorerPosted in: Bad investments, In this week's e-newsletter, Insurance, Latest news & views
There’s nothing wrong with charitable donations, unless you happen to make them in this county.
Diane Tovey, a resident of England’s Lincolnshire County, has been offered a choice: She can either have her home labeled as a “business,” or she can pay for nearly $10 million in public liability insurance. And all this is because she makes baked goods for a local charity.
After retiring, Tovey began selling homemade cakes and scones to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. One hundred percent of the money she makes goes directly to the charity, and she claims that means it isn’t a business.
“I’m only baking in a glorified wooden shed after all,” said Tovey.
But the Lincolnshire County Council won’t relent. Even though her baking practices were described as “modest,” at best, they still claim Tovey’s house should be a classified as a business.
If the re-designation goes through, Tovey will have even more trouble on her hands — being classified a “business” would violate the tenancy agreement for her home, and she’d be forced to move.
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September 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I can’t believe this story on Diane Tovey. She’s helping a charity. What about all those women who bake for their church “Bake Sale”. Leave Diane alone!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Lincolnshire County Council should be hired to oversee our banking institutions and insurance companies. Maybe we wouldn’t be in this economic mess if we had Lincolnshire County Council looking out for us!