At the licensing committee meeting at the end of last month councillors approved conditions for stretch limos.
Unless they're used exclusively for weddings or funerals(

) or for a contract hire of not less than 24 hours then they must be licensed as PH unless they are carrying more than 8 in which case they are a PSV. I'm not sure if this includes the cabability of carrying more than eight, even if it's not intended to utilise this, but this seems to be one of the grey areas that the authorities don't seem sure about.
The licensing regime comes into operation on 30 November.
The Tele article said:
"Vehicles will only be licensed if the council is satisfied that they are suitable in size, type and design for use as private hire cars. They will have to be inspected at the council's vehicle test centre in Clepington Road.
"The conditions state that there can be no sale of alcohol, even if the vehicle is fitted with a bar. The council reserved the right to take age, mechanical condition, mileage, appearance, bodywork condition, safety features and any other relevant condsiderations into account when determining applications.
"Discs issued by the licensing authority showing the maximum number of passengers the vehicle must carry must be fitted in a way that is clearly visible to passengers. Seat belts must be provided for each passenger and the vehicles must be fitted with two portable fire extinguisers. Wherever possible, while carrying passsengers, each vehicle must have at least half a dozen neds hanging out of the windows."
But presumably operators will just be able to add on the price of any booze to the fee and offer 'free bubbly' (as per 999 limos in the Cowgate) to get round the no sale of alcohol rule?
Talking of the fire engine, I wonder what the council will be doing about that? After all, since 'ladies in the mood for fun hen nights might be lucky enough to be carried from door to car in a fireman's lift' and then free bubbly, you'd think this was the kind of thing that was crying out to be licensed.
By the way, the bit about the neds was a joke, but I bet no one noticed
