Taxi Driver Online

Council killjoys put a hault to much-valued lunch service for pensioners


For some of the village's elderly residents, it was to be the highlight of the week. Ten took up pub landlord Ali Yeoman's offer of a discounted two-course lunch for pensioners every Wednesday, with a lift to the Bullers Arms thrown in free of charge.

The promotion was a godsend to those finding it difficult to get about, some of whom might otherwise be stuck indoors all week. Then the local council got to hear about it.

After the first of the get-togethers, Mr Yeoman fell foul of council officials who banned him from giving lifts because he does not have a taxi licence.

The landlord received a letter warning him to withdraw the service when he advertised it in his local paper. Officials said he was effectively running a taxi service and would require a private hire licence.

Mr Yeoman, 50, said yesterday: "I am outraged that I have been forced to stop this service. Now many of my elderly customers simply can't make it here.

"I am not charging for the car. I have a people carrier and it can only take seven people. "All I was doing was offering to drive a couple of miles to pick up and drop off a few elderly people who cannot get out and about.

"I had some of them saying I was the first person they'd seen for four days. For some it is their only chance of socialising. "I run a busy pub and don't have the time and money to start messing around getting a private taxi licence."

Mr Yeoman, who is chairman of the East Cornwall Licensed Victuallers' Association, took over the Bullers Arms at Landrake, near Saltash, three weeks ago.

He started the senior citizens' deal last week, offering a free lift, soup of the day and roast lunch for £4.99. Since Caradon District Council stepped in, however, pensioners can enjoy the deal only if they make their own travel arrangements.

For many, that involves crossing the busy A38 dual carriageway or climbing dozens of steep steps up to a footbridge over the road.

Great grandmother Margaret Smith, 85, who took advantage of the offer last week, said: "The lunch deal was wonderful, tasty and brilliant value for money.

"We met new people and had a chat and a giggle and a moan. It's certainly a break from staring at four walls all day. But now that has stopped. I can't possibly cross a busy road on my own."

Mick Bullock of Caradon District Council said: "Although the publican wouldn't be charging for the car it would be part of the business. Therefore it comes within the private hire licence to do it.

"We want to make sure both the vehicle and the driver are safe. It is all about protecting the public."

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IDFIMH

So if I pull up outside his pub in my licensed vehicle and start selling booze, then it's ok cos I haven't got the f***ing time to get a booze license?

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IDFIMH

Mines a pint of ale please sussex

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

What only a pint?

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IDFIMH

I would be well over the limit else and you know thats illegal to drink and drive, besides i hate wasting good ale by spilling it

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!