Brakes put on minicab drive to advertise on vehicles

MINICAB firms have been denied the right to advertise on their vehicles following a ruling by licensing chiefs.

One of the Capital's private hire firms had wanted to display its name and phone number on 116 of its vehicles.

The city council's regulatory committee ruled against the move amid concerns about "seagulling", where private hire cars illegally tout for business on the street.

Edinburgh City Private Hire had asked licensing bosses for permission to display its logo and telephone number on some of its vehicles, bringing Edinburgh into line with other Scottish cities.

A report to councillors said the city's cab inspector had no objections to the plan, provided a standard design was adopted by all vehicles. It also said that 70 per cent of local authorities across the country allowed such advertising.

But there were fears among councillors that the move would cause confusion by giving the impression that private hire cabs could be hailed in the street.

Last year, licensing bosses ruled that all private hire cars in the Capital had to carry "pre-booked hires only" signs.