Fury as council enjoyable sponges order landlord to cease ‘pub taxi’ service
Paul Hartfield has been ordered by Ashford Borough Council to stop his service of giving customers a lift home from his pub, as he doesn’t have a licence
Ashford Borough Council has told the landlord to stop(Image: Shepherd Neame/Cover Images)
A pub owner who bought a black cab to offer his customers a lift home at now cost has been ordered to stop by the local council.
Paul Hartfield runs The Flying Horse in Smarden, near Ashford. In November 2025, he set up the free taxi service for his publicans as long as they lived within three miles of the pub.
The service did not make Paul any money, but he encouraged the customers to make a donation to charity. However, Ashford Borough Council has told the landlord to stop, as he doesn’t have a licence.
Shocked by the decision, Paul’s enlisted the help of a lawyer, and claims he sees no difference between what he has set up, and offering a friend a lift home.
A statement from the pub, reported by KentOnline, said: “We understand the law and understand that laws must be adhered to.
“Our understanding was that licences were for ‘hire and reward’; neither of which apply here. Customers do not ‘book’ for us to take them home, and they do not pay for the service.
“As The Flying Horse is a small, family-run, village pub, the customers are my friends, and I am simply taking a few friends home after a drink in the pub, which I’m sure many ‘designated drivers’ do every day.
“It really isn’t a massive part of the business, in fact, it’s very small and has no financial impact on the business. The roads around our area are poor, with many potholes, limited pavements and no lighting. This is not a business venture.”
Paul said: “Our brewery, Shepherd Neame saw our cab, they were proud of it and wanted to show it on their socials.
“Then all of this happened and every news outlet has wanted a story, mainly because most are horrified at the way someone now can’t give someone a lift and raise money for charity.
“Child minders who carry children in their vehicles daily, much more often than our cab would ever be used, do not need these insurances and are not told by the council they aren’t allowed to carry passengers in their cars. I see no difference.”
A spokesman for the council said they must ‘balance good intentions’ with their ‘regulatory responsibilities.’
They added: “On confirming the service amounted to private hire, the business was initially asked to cease the service in absence of the relevant licences.
“We can confirm that we have provided the business with information on private hire licensing in order to comply with current legislation and our licensing team remains open to assisting the business should they wish to apply for the relevant licence.
“A business providing a car for hire with the services of a driver – with or without direct payment of money – is a licensable activity.
“Whilst exemptions to the requirements exist, these are typically limited to services such as funeral cars, wedding cars, care-workers transporting clients under their care, and genuine ambulance services.
“This is completed by performing checks mandated through best practice and statutory guidance relating to driver backgrounds, vehicle standards, and ensuring that the vehicle is appropriately insured for such services. ABC remain committed to ensuring public safety in this regard.”
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