Appeal against Aberdeen Uber permission withdrawn

Uber was granted permission to operate in Aberdeen back in June

An appeal against a decision to grant private hire firm Uber permission to operate in Aberdeen has been withdrawn, BBC Scotland News has learned.

Uber was granted a licence by Aberdeen City Council earlier this year.

The transport giant had hoped to launch in August, but it is understood an appeal by the Unite union delayed those plans. The appeal has now been withdrawn.

It is expected Uber could now begin operating in the city before Christmas.

The company connects passengers to drivers via an app which uses GPS technology to locate available taxis.

It was originally granted permission to launch in the city in 2018, but later surrendered its licence.

Uber again lodged an application to operate in Aberdeen earlier this year, and it was granted by the council's licensing committee in June.

The committee had rejected a call from a taxi trade delegation for more scrutiny on the implications of the application before it was granted.

BBC Scotland News understands Uber driver recruitment was suspended, but will now resume.

The company already operates in Glasgow and Edinburgh.