Taxi Driver Online

Andover private hire firm told to ‘immediately cease operating’

https://loveandover.com/news/local-news ... ing-14068/


Image: Love Andover

An Andover taxi firm has been told to ‘immediately cease’ trading.

AB Cars on Winchester Street has been subject of a ‘merger’ with Alpha Cars from Basingstoke. A notice on the taxi office window from Test Valley Borough Council has asked Alpha Cars to ‘Immediately cease operating as an unlicensed private hire vehicle operator within the controlled district of Test Valley’.

The notice addressed to Alpha Cars says that the company do not hold a Private Hire licence. It reads, “You must immediately cease all functions as an unlicensed Private Hire Operator”. Failure to adhere to the council notice says that Alpha Cars will be involved in the instigation of criminal proceedings.

Drivers have contacted local radio station 95.9FM Andover Radio to say the found out that they were no longer able to drive today by text message. The message reads, “Test Valley Council [sic] have shut the office until further notice, we are doing are [sic] utmost to get this sorted and will keep you all posted. Apologies for any inconvenience”.

It is understood that the twenty or more (self-employed) drivers received letters delivered to their home addresses from Test Valley Borough Council today informing them of their move.

Andover Radio understands that there may be some confusion as to which of the two companies drivers have been working for. Alpha Cars have previously been refused an operating licence in the Test Valley.

We have asked management at AB Cars and Test Valley Borough Council’s Licensing Department for comment.

Andover Radio also approached Andover’s largest taxi and private hire company 1-2 Call Cabs for comment. Company secretary Ricky Kirkby said, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, “We are currently hiring, any local drivers looking for work should get in contact. But, on a strictly first-come, first-served basis”.

A slightly different take on this from another source:

Taxi firm told to 'cease trading immediately' after licence refused

https://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/new ... e-refused/


Image: Google Street View/Andover Advertiser

AN ANDOVER taxi firm has been told it must “immediately cease" trading after it was refused a licence to operate.

A&B Cars in Winchester Street is in talks to merge with Basingstoke-based Alpha Cars and it applied to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) for a licence.

The firm’s application was refused, but TVBC were unable to tell the Advertiser the reasons behind the rejection.

But today the council has handed the business a notice and put up a signing warning it that legal action could be taken if it does not adhere to the letter.

It understood that drivers are now being spoken to by managers but will be unable to work until the matter is resolved.

The notice on the window of the office reads: “You do not hold a Private Hire Vehicle Operators licence for the controlled District of Test Valley and therefore you must NOT operate Private Hire Vehicles in the Borough of Test Valley.

“With immediate effect you must cease all functions as an unlicensed Private Hire Vehicle Operator with the controlled district of Test Valley.”

The borough council has the option to take out a High Court injunction against the firm to ‘ensure its compliance’.

A council spokesperson said: “Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) can confirm that it refused an application from Alpha Cars for an Operator Licence. The council may refuse an application for a number of reasons and further information about the licensing criteria can be found on the TVBC website and in the relevant legislation.

“Unsuccessful applicants have 21 days from the notice of refusal to submit an appeal to the local magistrates court.”

A&B Cars and Alpha Cars has been contacted for a comment.