Bid to sell spare parts to taxis off the rails

PLANS to pitch an unusual mobile trailer selling spare parts to cabbies at Sheffield railway station's taxi rank have hit the buffers.

Supplier George Gawith – which describes itself as "The Complete Service to the Taxi Trade" – asked Sheffield Council for a street trader's licence for a site on Cross Turner Street, outside the multi-storey car park.

Council officials are usually asked for street trading licences by people who want to set up businesses like burger vans selling hot food.

The van would have stood in one of three bays on the bridge where the street crosses the culverted River Sheaf.

Liverpool-based Gawith's said: "We are a one-stop-shop to customers as we supply vehicles, finance, parts, servicing and repair.

"Our mission is to provide quality products and services at competitive prices to the taxi trade."

The company said it has been trading since the 1960s, trading across the country and even supplying customers as far afield as Europe, America and Asia.

But David Butcher, team manager of highway regulation at Sheffield Council, said: "The location in question becomes very congested and has been subject of many complaints from taxi drivers and people trying to drop off travellers at the station.

"I consider it inadvisable to approve this application. If taxi drivers park to purchase from this trader it could only add to the severe congestion that already occurs."

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Bid-to-sell-spare-parts.4886964.jp

I understand many drivers have used this service and are happy with it. If people need the parts they will go to where the part seller is and that can be anywhere within driving distance, surely? What do you think of the decission not to allow these people to sell parts at the station?? Any comments welcome.

Didn't it say on here some time ago that they were going to sell at the Mosque on Wollesly Road?

Why did he pick the busiest street and where only a few of the licence trade attend (limited passes) why not have a daytime licence for somewhere like Barkers Pool etc where access if needed is easier.

I agree vulcan, somewhere on Balm Green would have been better, and more chance of the council agreeing to it as well.