Taxi firm fined for operating without licence

The investigation was led by Cheltenham Borough Council

A taxi company has been ordered to pay £3,000 for operating without the right licence following a council investigation.

Victor Whitham, of Bishop's Cleeve in Gloucestershire, had his licence suspended in October 2024 for not paying council fees, but carried on taking taxi bookings in Cheltenham.

An investigation by Cheltenham Borough Council uncovered the breach after officers monitored the activities of his company, Spa-Tax Cheltenham.

On 27 October, Mr Whitham admitted taking private hire booking without the correct licence.

The company did have a licence to operate in Tewkesbury, but continued to send vehicles to Cheltenham.

To operate a taxi company in Cheltenham, a five-year private hire operator licence costs between £1,591 for three cars or less and up to £7,157 for more than 31 vehicles.

Mr Whitham was told to pay £3,106, after magistrates awarded the maximum fine of £1,000, combined with a £400 victim surcharge and £1,706 in costs.

'Decisive action'

The case was led by Cheltenham Borough Council's licensing enforcement officers and assisted by One Legal, a service shared with Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Another taxi driver, Aneel Hussain, was fined almost £2,000 in September after a borough council operation found him trying to pick up passengers during Cheltenham Race Week without a licence.

Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said the successful prosecution sends a "very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity" and the authority will take decisive action to "protect Cheltenham residents and our visitors".