THE borough council is working to “simplify and streamline” the application process for new taxi drivers in response to a “huge drop in demand” for licensed drivers during the pandemic.

It has also just granted a new private hire operator licence, which it said could "provide more consumer choice locally". 

Basingstoke residents have reported problems trying to book a taxi in the town, including the owners of The Gabardine Bar, who said it is putting people off going out for an evening resulting in a drop in footfall at the Top of Town.

Fran O’Halloran, who owns the bar, in London Street, with her partner Kevin Nelson, described the taxi service in Basingstoke as “appalling” and called on the borough council to address the issue.

Read more: Owners of The Gabardine Bar plead with public to support them

The owners have been forced to reduce their opening hours following a drop in footfall and are pleading with customers to support them.

Responding to the problem, a spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it does not limit the number of driver or vehicle licences, but said the pandemic saw “a huge drop in demand for licensed drivers”, adding: “This has been a national issue and not limited to Basingstoke.”

The spokesperson said the council is “working with local companies on simplifying and streamlining the application process to encourage new drivers to enter the trade”, adding: “The council’s role as a licensing authority is to ensure that applicants are ‘fit and proper’ people to hold a licence.

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"The licensing team is currently processing over 50 new driver applications which will take the number of licenced drivers above pre-pandemic levels.

“This should lead to an improvement in the availability and reliability of the service. The licensing team has also just granted a new private hire operator licence which could provide more consumer choice locally.”