Restaurant warned free customer lifts are unlawful

A restaurant owner has said she felt a council decision to stop her husband giving customers a free lift home after their meal was "a bit harsh".

Chef Ruth Hansom-Rigby, who runs the Michelin Guide-listed Hansom Restaurant in Bedale, has been told it is unlawful for partner Mark to take customers home without a licence for transporting the public.

Ruth said: "We are aware that taxi and Uber services in and around Bedale are limited, and public transport links are not always reliable."

Tim Grogan from North Yorkshire Council said the authority needed to "protect the customer" and ensure that the "vehicle's OK, and also the driver's licensed".

Hansom-Rigby said she and her husband had "worked hard to create a restaurant that supports the local community".

"When we first opened, we had a lot of people coming from out of town who didn't really appreciate the situation with the taxis we have," she said.

"They were coming in a taxi or maybe an Uber from Darlington or York, and thinking they'd just be able to get another one to get home, but that's not always possible.

"Or they might have been staying at a local AirBnB or hotel when the taxis won't come out for a short journey, which is understandable as it's not viable for them.

"We kept having to give people a lift home anyway, so we thought we could offer this as something we do to make sure everyone gets home safely, as Mark's free anyway in the evenings."

Hansom-Rigby said their "only intention was to make things easier and safer" for their customers.

"This was a complimentary service offered in good faith, with no intention of disregarding council regulations or breaking any laws."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers from North Yorkshire Council found out about the lifts and got in touch, saying they would need a private hire licence if they wanted to continue.

Hansom-Rigby said the couple were considering whether to get the required licence.

She added: "It is a little bit annoying and I do feel the council has been a little harsh.

"My husband gives up his time freely and we're not trying to steal anybody else's business - we're literally doing it for people who can't get a taxi.

"Thankfully, our customers have been really lovely about it."

She added: "We hope we can work together to find a practical and sensible solution that supports the restaurant, our customers, and of course North Yorkshire Council."

North Yorkshire Council's corporate director for environment Karl Battersby said: "While offering customers lifts may seem like a helpful gesture, transporting members of the public without the proper licences in place creates serious risks for both the business and the customer.

"Following a complaint last year, we advised the restaurant owner on the legal requirements relating to private hire vehicles.

"These rules ensure that appropriate insurance, safeguarding measures, vehicle safety standards and driver suitability checks are in place to protect customers.

"The restaurant owner co‑operated fully with the advice provided and the matter was resolved in autumn 2025."

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