Cabbies banned from cafe as petition grows
The row has set T-shirt against teashop in the tourist centre of the city.
Rebecca Greenfield, who owns The Mad Hatters cafe at Orange Grove, has banned taxi drivers from her premises.
She said that since she had spoken out about plans to move the coach drop-off points, some drivers had been abusive towards her and her staff.
Ms Greenfield said: "Since the scheme meetings were held in June and July, there has been growing tension between the taxi drivers and people of Orange Grove.
"I seem to have been picked out by the taxi drivers especially to be the target of their abuse though I have done nothing to warrant this. Unfortunately, their recent behaviour has meant that I have had to refuse them service.
"We need a happy medium. At the end of the day we are all just trying to earn a living and we need to work together."
Arcania owner Juliette Findlay, whose shop sells aromatherapy products and candles, also finds the atmosphere intimidating.
She said: "We feel highly intimidated by the taxi drivers since there have been the traffic wardens monitoring their parking offences and their campaign to stay in the existing rank has begun.
"Something clearly needs to happen as soon as possible to calm this situation down."
Taxi drivers have firmly denied the allegations as they launch a campaign to save the rank.
Drivers say they are not happy with the way they have been portrayed.
Secretary of the Bath Taxi Association Richard Hopkins said a small minority was giving the rest a bad name.
He said: "We have been portrayed as aggressive and rude which is not true at all. Many of us do this job to support a family and are honest and hardworking.
"The drivers who are being aggressive are giving us a bad name and we are keen this is stopped."
Following proposals to move the rank to Terrace Walk during the day, drivers have been asking their customers to sign a petition opposing the idea, and have more than 2,000 signatures. Drivers are also wearing T-shirts carrying the message Save Orange Grove Taxi Rank.
Mr Hopkins said: "If the rank is moved it will affect our trade and some drivers will go out of business. I hope that we are listened to, and that the rank stays in Orange Grove."
source: http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/