A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of Warrington based Pink Ladies, launched by local celebrity Kerry Katona, after its founders were found guilty of not holding a private hire license and ordered to pay more than £5,000 in fines and costs.
Launched in a blaze of publicity four years ago by the former Atomic Kitten and “Queen of the Jungle,” Warrington borough council has brought a successful case against owners Tina Dutton and Andrea Winders, when the town’s magistrates upheld the council’s claim that they were operating an unlicensed private hire company.
The two founders and owners of the company, who have vowed to battle on, were both found guilty of not holding a private hire operator’s licence; operating (at least) two unlicensed private hire vehicles; and employing a driver who did not hold a private hire driver’s licence.
David Boyer, head of sustainable transport, said: “We’re very pleased that our case against Pink Ladies has been upheld. By running an unlicensed operation, Pink Ladies were posing a potential threat to public safety. Bringing this case was not about trying to undermine what we’ve long believed to be a good business proposition to provide a taxi service for women by women.
“However, once Pink Ladies took the decision not to renew their licence and failed to insist that their drivers were properly licensed, we could no longer support their company.”
He said he hoped the ruling would bring to a close a long-running saga and ensure the safety on the roads of everyone using private hire vehicles in Warrington.
National legislation requires those operating and driving taxis and private hire vehicles to undergo regular police and medical checks, maintain and service vehicles at least twice a year and prove their knowledge of the local area and the highway code.
He added: “The legislation is there for a reason – to safeguard passengers and the public.
“We hope that this judgment sends a clear message to any companies operating without the necessary licences that they will not be allowed to continue trading and putting public safety at risk.”
Taxis and private hire vehicles are regulated by national legislation. This requires operators, vehicles and drivers to be properly licensed to ensure the best interests of the public.
Conditions are attached so that only fit and proper people and vehicles carry the council’s endorsement to operate in the borough.
All licensed vehicles are also formally examined at least twice a year and drivers are subject to regular ‘Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure’ procedures as
well as DVLA driver history and medical tests.
In 2005 Tina Dutton and Andrea Winders approached the council with an idea of starting a private hire car company for women only. Their proposal was to have drivers who would all be uniformed, female and directly employed by the company as opposed to being self-employed drivers.
They were subsequently granted a private hire operators’ licence in June 2005, with vehicle licences for several pink Renault Kangoos and licences for numerous drivers also granted at the same time.
By September 2006 all vehicle licenses and the operators licence had expired and no renewal applications had been received. Pink Ladies directors claimed at that time that they were operating under the “Section 75 (L.G. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976)” which they argued provided an exemption from licensing requirements for ‘contract work’. This section was removed from the legislation in the 2007 Road Safety Act and effectively, this ‘loophole’ from licensing was closed from 29 January 2008.
There then followed a series of meetings between Pink Ladies and the Council with a view to establish how Pink Ladies were operating their business outside the provisions of Licensing.
These issues were never successfully resolved and an investigation was therefore launched. Investigative journeys were undertaken by officers of the council over five months in 2008 with Pink Ladies to assess if they were conducting private hire work.
Two drivers were found to be driving unlicensed vehicles when stopped in the town centre while Pink Ladies also did not hold a private hire operators licence.
After initial success the company hit financial problems and the launch of franchises elsewhere in the country backfired.
In December 2006 the company went into administration but was re-launched following a restructuring. Franchises in London and Carlisle ceased trading with other franchises failing to get off the ground.
Meanwhile Andrea and Tina have vowed to fight on by setting up a fighting fund and not charging members for their journeys.
Pictures shows Kerry, who has previously severed her ties with the company, at the launch with Tina and Andrea.
13 Comments
Sad that it’s got like this, but in life, you reap what you so.
Just wondering when they pay the fine, will they be giving a tip.
I find this a surprising and insensitive comment from an elected member of the council.
Whatever the rights and wrongs these are two women who have tried to set up a business and while they have been found guilty of breaking the law I don’t think insenstive comments will help anyone in these difficult times.
But at least I have the courage to post in my own name!
I think putting public safety at risk is pretty insensitive!
Well said Mr Kennedy. I wish Councillors in Halton were likewise
What difficult times? These two have been sticking two fingers up to the council for years so Paul’s light hearted comments could have been a whole lot worse!
My sentiments exactly! 😉
I would hope that Warrington, Halton, Cheshire continue to make this area a level playing field for all those working in the, Taxi, Private Hire, Minibus, Limousine etc Vehicles Hired for Reward sector. As many continue to be unlicensed and outside of the laws
i dont so…………. they are so skint they can only pay the fine at £100 per month…. so no tip
the sooner they follow the rules the better.the public and there “members” is backing them, but whos fault will it be when they have a bad accident and the insurance will not pay out to the “fare paying passenger”. hope this does not happen for the sake of the customer, but if the customer spoke to wbc and asked would i be covered the same as in a plated vehicle they would have to say no. i do not agree with some off the rules at times, but its not what i want, its whats best for the traveling public.
from what i hear a few private hire are looking at removing plates, thinking if they can get 3 years out it so can i.its down to the police now to act on the court ruling not wbc
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