Traders call for taxi rank

Business owners from Mansfield are pictured with Coun. Steve Garner, forth left, who lent his support to their campaign to get a taxi rank on Dame Flogan Street. They are from left, Donna Munks from The Works Hair and Beauty, June Stendall from Finesse, Kazim Guzel from the Bodrum Grill, Melvin Flint from Stamp King, Hewa Abdulla of Zabka, Julie Widdowson of Ten Green Bottles and John Key of Casey's.

The traders say they are tired of waiting for officials at Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council to take a serious look at the proposal.

Their petition went before the county council’s highway committee in September but was referred back to Mansfield District Council.

June Stendall, owner of Finesse Bridal Studio, on the street, said the alternative ranks on Queen Street, Clumber Street and the new bus station were all on steep hills and unsuitable for the disabled.

“We are trying to get things moving,” said Mrs Stendall.

“We believe this would be good for business and could have a knock-on effect in this area of the town but we are getting nowhere.

“We are just fed-up with it.”

Steve Garner, Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Mansfield South, said the matter required urgent attention.

He added: “It is infuriating. Traders on Whit Hart Street are trying to get businesses going.

“Business owners need to know whether it is yes or no. I think sometimes in politics people just hope things will go away if they do not say anything.”

Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton said traffic flow in the town was a serious issue which needed looking at.

He added: “We have had a change at the county council which I think may have caused it to be put on the backburner.

“June and the other traders on White Hart Street feel this is the obvious place for another rank. We should try and be more accessible for people.”

Coun John Smart, Chairman of the Licensing Committee at Mansfield District Council, said: “We have received a petition calling for a taxi rank to be placed on White Hart Street in Mansfield Town Centre.

“We will take the petition to the next quality service working group, which is made up of representatives from the local taxi trade, who will discuss the request and consider the proposal in the context of the wider provision of taxi services and facilities.

“If the group are supportive we will then seek agreement from the county council.

“However, an application for a new taxi rank will only be progressed if there is clear support from the taxi operators.”