Five-year-old girl 'fined' £150 for lemonade stand is inundated with job offers
She had been selling small cups of the freshly made drink for 50p and larger cups for £1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A girl has received outpourings of sympathy after she received a £150 fine from her local council for setting up a lemonade stand outside a festival.
Andre Spicer’s daughter was selling cups of lemonade at the end of her street in London's Mile End, as hundreds of people were attending Lovebox festival in nearby Victoria Park.
But within 30 minutes of setting up, four council enforcement officers approached her table and read from a legal letter informing her that, because the operation did not have a trading permit, it would incur a £150 fine.
Businesses have since stepped forward with offers to harness the five-year-old’s entrepreneurial spirit by providing space for a new stand.
Borough Market tweeted her father Mr Spicer: “In all seriousness, would your daughter like to sell some lemonade at Borough Market? We'd love to make that happen for her.”
She has also been invited to the Friends of Mile End Park Annual Community Fair, while Redhead Day UK 2018 has offered to make her guest of honour at their ginger festivities.
Her family tweeted: “Dozens of festivals, markets and businesses have offered us an opportunity to set up a lemonade stand.
“We hope they’ll extend the invitation to others who’d love to make a stand.
“Children could sell home-made lemonade, hand-drawn comics or vegetables they have grown.
“Young people could do more than sell things, like sharing films or music they’ve created, or gaining support from their local club.
“We learn through doing.”
Mr Spicer, the girl’s father, is a New Zealander who teaches organisational behaviour at Cass Business School in London.
In his Telegraph column about the fine, he compared the way children are brought up now with his own childhood, when his business instincts were allowed to thrive.
“When I was growing up, my brother and I were able to wander miles from home without adult supervision.
“We were encouraged to sell things to raise money for clubs we were part of, by selling biscuits, we learned about maths, communication and basic business skills.”
Tower Hamlets Council has apologised for the incident, saying: “We expect our enforcement officers to show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly.
“This clearly did not happen.
“The fine will be cancelled immediately and we have contacted Mr Spicer and his daughter to apologise”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments