Council busybodies have banned an award-winning restaurant from giving its customers a lift from the station.
The Michelin-Guide listed Hansom in Bedale, North Yorkshire, had given patrons a lift to their restaurant – which is eight miles from the nearest train station in Northallerton.
But North Yorkshire Council has now said the restaurant must get the correct paperwork to continue the service.
A letter sent in November to owners Ruth and Mark Hansom said the pair needs a “a private hire operator’s licence” and a licence for vehicle and drivers involved.
Mrs Hansom was the first woman to be named Young National Chef of the Year, was a finalist on the Great British Menu, and opened her restaurant in 2024.
North Yorkshire Council told the owners: “This is because while there is no separate charge made for the journey, there is deemed to be a commercial benefit for the restaurant.”
The letter then set out the different licences available, the cheapest of which is £350 a year.
“I must warn you that if you continue to offer this service without the appropriate licences the Licensing Authority may take legal action against you,” North Yorkshire Council said.
North Yorkshire Council has told Hansom Restaurant it must gain a licence to continue to drive patrons
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Mrs Hansom told The Times her patrons were “frustrated” over the decision.
She added: “The whole reason we did it in the first place was because there wasn’t a service there and people were getting stuck with us, so we were having to take them home anyway.
“They’d try and book a taxi on the night if they don’t know the area well, or people were walking home in the pitch black. We just wanted to make sure everyone got home safely.”
The chef said it was unclear why the council decided to take action in November, with the free lift arrangement most known about through word of mouth.
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Hansom Restaurant is eight miles from the nearest railway station and offered free rides to patrons
There were fears customers would cancel their bookings – but people had been understanding, Mrs Hansom said.
Kevin Rayner, a taxi driver whom Hansom now lists on its website, said he takes customers to the restaurants three or four times a week.
“It’s good for Bedale. I think they’re just trying to draw people in, and offering them a free ride home, or whatever, I think is a good thing,” he said.
He said he had “no problem” with the free transportation offered by Mrs Hansom.
“I think it’s a bit shortsighted of the council itself. However, it is what it is. Council rules are council rules, I suppose,” the taxi driver added.
The restaurant now lists three taxi services, including Mr Rayner’s, on its website.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said: “We are always willing to work with businesses. 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.”