UK girl left in tears after she's fined for selling lemonade
A British man and his young daughter have gained international attention for being fined for selling lemonade.
Andre Spicer said his 5-year-old daughter was left in tears after local council officers fined her 150 pounds ($246 AUD) for selling lemonade without a license near their home in London.
The girl was selling home-made lemonade to fans attending the Lovebox dance festival when she was fined.
Took 5 year old daughter to end of our road to run lemonade stand. Fined £180. She's now sobbing, 'I did a bad thing'. Thx @TowerHamletsNow
— André Spicer (@andre_spicer) July 15, 2017
The four officers approached the girl and began speaking in technical legal terms, telling her that her lemonade stand infringed on local business rights.
Halfway through the interaction with the officers, Spicer said his daughter burst into tears and said "I've done a bad thing, daddy. I've done something wrong."
"I think initially she was a bit shocked and sad," Spicer said. "And then I suggested we try it again with a permit. And she said: 'Oh, it's a bit scary.'"
He hopes that his daughter will overcome the "heart-wrenching" experience and continue to pursue entrepreneurial ideas.
So, about the lemonade standard incident... we are very sorry that this has happened. (1/3)
— Tower Hamlets (@TowerHamletsNow) July 21, 2017
We expect our enforcement officers to show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen. (2/3)
— Tower Hamlets (@TowerHamletsNow) July 21, 2017
The fine will be cancelled immediately and we have contacted Mr Spicer and his daughter to apologise. 3/3
— Tower Hamlets (@TowerHamletsNow) July 21, 2017
Spicer wrote an article about the incident for the Daily Telegraph that garnered hundreds of comments and shares online.
Local officials said the fine will be cancelled immediately. They have apologised to the family.
In a statement Friday, the council said it was "very sorry" about what happened and that its enforcement officers are expected to "show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen."