Taxi Driver Online

Who'd have thought this kind of stuff would be going on

I mean, takeaways and taxis - remind anyone of anything in the news recently? And that was just the licensed cabs

Of course, it all might be reasonably innocent and they're 'very, very upset' by the allegations. But, ironically, the photo shows a 'driver wanted' sign

Probably just a delivery driver though, but I'd check his insurance anyway. And wouldn't be surprised if he's delivering the odd customer as well as the food


Teesside takeaway denies claims of flouting laws and running illegal taxis

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... g-24559726


Image: Google Maps/Teesside Live

Claims that a pizza shop is operating out of hours and running an unlicensed taxi are under investigation

A Teesside takeaway is under investigation following claims it is running an unlicensed taxi and staying open when it shouldn't.

King Kaz's in Hartlepool's York Road is under review by the council over the claims, which the company bosses have denied. The case will go before a review panel next week.

The pizza shop is allowed to provide "late night refreshment" until 3am, seven days a week, but Hartlepool Council 's licensing chiefs said they have observed trading "as late as 5am on a number of occasions". They have also raised concerns "someone suspected of acting as an unlicensed taxi driver has been operating" from the site in a "silver Ford Mondeo".

The case will be heard by the council licensing sub-committee on Thursday where councillors will make a decision over the site's licence. Documents outline how King Kaz bosses have stated they "do not work with any unlicensed taxi drivers" and the suspect is "banned from the shop".

Arshad Chaudhry, a family member who helps with the running of the takeaway, previously said he was "very, very upset over the review" and denied opening beyond 3am and any links to an unlicensed taxi driver. Muhammad Umar Arshad is listed as the premises licence holder for the site.

The council licensing service's review application said: "The premises' licence holder is aware of the licensed hours on the premises licence but it regularly trades much later. The premises' licence holder has been advised by the licensing service that King Kaz's pizzeria was being used as a base for an unlicensed taxi driver but despite this, the unlicensed driver has continued to operate from the premises."

Ian Harrison, Hartlepool Council's trading standards and licensing manager, said he has been in contact with the site since January over the concerns. He said since April the council's CCTV control room has been monitoring the late night activity at King Kaz's and the presence of the silver Ford Mondeo, with numerous incidents flagged up.

This includes six dates in which the vehicle has been pictured at the site, with incidents of the driver "going into the shop" and "giving lifts", and seven occasions when the takeaway has remained open past its licensed hours. The council team also has concerns over the takeaway not responding to requests to provide the CCTV footage required.

why am I surprised judging by the antics of one or two of our local establishments although one of them is based on the taxi rank so no point trying to get fares they just stick to the side orders of illegal booze and drugs

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Taxis Are Public Transport too

Join the campaign to get April fools jokes banned for 364 days a year !

I would have thought this was quite commonplace throughout the UK.

Late at night, the authorities have plenty more to deal with than a food delivery driver taking home a few punters.

But the council should act and hopefully they are.

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IDFIMH

Not much new here beyond the headline, although there's some stuff in the latter half of the article about the excuses management made for the problems, but councillors obviously unimpressed.


Takeaway licence suspended after CCTV probe spots shop staying open past agreed hours and ‘unlicensed taxi driver’ claims

https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/p ... ms-3791058

A Hartlepool takeaway has had its late-night licence suspended following concerns about opening beyond its permitted hours and alleged links to an “unlicensed taxi driver”.

King Kaz, in York Road, was previously permitted to provide “late-night refreshment” until 3am, seven days a week.

But council licensing chiefs said they had observed trading “as late as 5am on a number of occasions”.

Licensing officers from Hartlepool Borough Council also raised concerns about an alleged “unlicensed taxi driver” operating from the site.

In documents submitted ahead of a review by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee last week (Thursday, Joly 28), bosses at King Kaz insisted they had not worked “with any unlicensed taxi drivers” and that the suspect had been “barred” from the shop.

Ian Harrison, the council’s trading standards and licensing manager, claimed he had been in contact with the site since January over concerns.

His statement added CCTV monitoring of the premises this year had flagged several incidents between April 18 - May 20.

This included several dates where the same vehicle was pictured at the site, with the driver “going into the shop” and “giving lifts”, as well as several occasions in which the business stayed open past its licensed hours.

Muhammad Umar Arshad, the premises licence holder, said the shop was open late when he was away in London and workers were running it on his behalf.

Councillors heard that a number of staff involved with the opening hours breaches had been sacked and the takeaway was committed to operating under the terms of its licence.

Mr Arshad told the meeting: “I do apologise, it’s not going to happen again and I have taken steps to ensure it won’t happen again.”

Shop bosses insisted visits by the alleged unlicensed taxi driver were uninvited and that steps had been taken to prevent further visits by driver, who they added travelled to "various shops all around Hartlepool".

They also denied claims by licensing chiefs CCTV footage demonstrated a “relationship” between the shop and driver.

Following deliberations, councillors agreed to suspend King Kaz’s late-night refreshment licence for three months and to reduce its operating hours from 3am to midnight.

Under licensing rules, the business has the right to appeal the decision.

Don't think that's the best way to put it. Strictly speaking, that reads as if it's permitted to open at 3am and close at midnight

Wondered if it should actually read 3pm to midnight, but suspect it actually means that they have to close at midnight rather than 3am