Ruth Hansom, an award-winning chef, and her husband Mark have been ordered by North Yorkshire Council to stop offering free lifts to customers from their rurally located restaurant, Hansom, in Bedale. The couple had been driving diners home within a 10-mile radius after realizing many were walking in the dark on unlit roads.
The Background
Ruth Hansom, who grew up in Darlington, trained at the Ritz in London for five years. In 2017, she became the first female winner of Young National Chef of the Year. She has appeared on James Martin's Saturday Morning and won the regional heat of Great British Menu in 2020. She opened Hansom in Bedale two and a half years ago, and it has since been featured in the Michelin Guide. The Times critic Giles Coren gave it a 9/10 rating, praising dishes like the savoury bread and butter pudding.
The Problem
Bedale, known as the Gateway to the Dales, lacks evening bus services, and the nearest railway station is eight miles away in Northallerton. Taxis are available but require advance booking. Customers from nearby villages often couldn't get taxis for short journeys, leading them to walk home in the dark. "There's no streetlights or anything down some of these roads," Hansom said.
The Solution
Mark, who has a full-time job, began offering free lifts to customers within 10 miles. The arrangement was informal and well-received. Coren mentioned it in his review, noting he had to hitchhike from the station to eat there.
The Council Intervention
In late 2023, the council contacted Hansom, alleging a breach of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. An email titled "Allegation – Using Own Vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle" stated that while no separate charge was made, the lifts provided a commercial benefit to the restaurant, thus requiring private hire licenses for the operator, vehicle, and driver.
Hansom expressed disappointment: "There's so many great restaurants in North Yorkshire that are bringing tourism to the area and helping the local economy. People come up to the restaurant, but they stay for the whole weekend."
Council's Response
Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire 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. These rules ensure that appropriate insurance, safeguarding measures, vehicle safety standards and driver suitability checks are in place to protect customers."
The couple have now ceased the lift service, complying with the law but lamenting the lack of a compromise.
