IN THE NEWS
CRITICS AND NORTH YORKSHIRE MP BLAST COUNCIL OVER RESTAURANT “TAXI” ROW
A small North Yorkshire restaurant has become the centre of a national debate after top media figures and a local MP lined up to attack a council’s decision to ban free lifts for diners. The Michelin Guide-listed Hansom Restaurant in Bedale was told by North Yorkshire Council that its complimentary lift service was illegal without a formal private hire licence, sparking accusations of “petty officialdom.” Chef Ruth Hansom-Rigby started the service because local transport is so unreliable that guests were often left stranded. Her partner, Mark, would drive them home for free to ensure they were safe. However, the council found out and said the couple would need a
PH licence, even though they did not charge extra for the lifts. She admitted the council’s inter- vention felt “a little bit annoying” and “a little harsh,” adding, “we’re not trying to steal anybody else’s business - we’re literally doing it for people who can’t get a taxi.” The story caught the attention of celebrity food critic Giles Coren, who slammed the council in his column for The Times. Coren, who previously had to hitchhike from Northallerton to reach the restaur- ant, wrote: “Yeah, you sue her, you absolute local heroes. You teach Ruth and Mark a lesson for being great at their jobs, for treasuring their customers, for trying to create a little joy and make ends meet in a collapsing world.”
The story led to an editorial in The Times, which said: “North Yorkshire Council must get over its obsession with red tape.” Former Sun Editor Kelvin Mackenzie also waded in on X, with the story also appearing in The Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Guardian. Local MP Kevin Hollinrake called the situation “mad” on social media, arguing the restaurant was simply using common sense in an area with no trains or Ubers. However, Karl Battersby, the council’s director for environment, stated that while the lifts might seem helpful, they create “serious risks” without proper checks. He said the rules are in place to protect customers.
50
JUNE 2026 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
