Rachel Fieldhouse
Money & Banking

Locals rally after 12-year-old has business shut down

A 12-year-old boy has gained the support of his local community after his snack-selling business was shut down by council.

Jesse Lane was earning some tidy profits from selling cold drinks, insect repellent, dog treats and sunscreen in a tent on the Bondi to Coogee walk in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

Despite his success, the venture was shut down after two locals complained that he shouldn’t be making profits on public land.

The complaints came after Randwick Council rejected Jesse’s trading application because he didn’t have insurance.

But even when he acquired insurance months later, the application was rejected again.

With his tent stall facing a forced closure, locals have rallied around Jesse.

“Jessie is the hard-working kid who sets up and sells a number of things for hot and thirsty walkers and their pets,” one person shared on Facebook.

“The world needs more kids to drive to work hard for themselves and not sit around and play video games all day.

“His parents must be so proud of him and people should mind their business, if the kid wants to make money and work on his weekends good on him.”

Susan Ley, the deputy leader of the Liberal party, chimed in to support the youngster, saying he should be commended for “having a go”.

“We won’t have the small businesses and entrepreneurs of tomorrow if we don’t back them today,” she said.

“This is a foolish decision @RandwickCouncil and it should be reversed.

“Local community (equals) happy, 12-year-old kid having a go … what’s the problem?”

In August, Yahoo News reported that Randwick Council confirmed that there had been a “number” of complaints about Jesse’s business.

"He was initially selling drinks but has expanded to include a range of products including sunscreen, insect repellent and dog treats," a council spokesperson told 2GB radio.

“While we admire the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the young man, there are restrictions on commercial operations in public parks.

“Council received a number of complaints from people concerned about the precedent of commercialisation of the park as well as concern about the safety and welfare of a young boy trading and handling money in a public place.”

“Council has carefully considered the application. Unfortunately, it has determined that the activity is not consistent with the primary use of the land and it is not in the public interest for a proliferation of these types of activity along the length of the coastline.”

Image: 7News

Tags:
Money & Banking, Business, 12-year-old, Council, Entrepreneur