Call of the cabs entices taxi magnate back on the road

A TAXI boss has opened a new private hire firm after five years of taking a back seat.

Ian Brown, who used to own one of the Capital's biggest taxi firms, Festival Cars, has set up Connect Cars, based on Granton Square.

The new firm offers a safety service for women by texting details of the car, number plate and driver whenever they order a taxi. The business has snapped up dozens of private hire vehicles and is set to expand in the near future. Mr Brown has set up the firm with partner Grace Millar,

Mr Brown said: "I'm enjoying getting back into owning a taxi firm. I took five years off as part of my contractual agreement not to run a competing firm when I sold Festival Cars.

"The new firm is getting bigger by the day."

Festival Cars is now known as Edinburgh City Private Hire.