A Plymouth taxi firm has swallowed a rival business to become the largest operator in the city.
Need-A-Cab?, established in 2010, has just completed the purchase of Plymouth Taxis Limited, also known as 60 60 60.
This acquisition means and also benefits from exclusive use of the taxi rank at Plymouth Railway Station.
The company has been on a major growth drive for years, it merged with Star Cars in 2017 and took over Crownhill Taxis in April, 2018.
The Ham Drive-based firm is run by Huw Isaac, David Evans and David McIntosh. Mr McIntosh said: “We are on the increase.”
The firm also recently launched a dedicated app to make bookings easier for its clients. It has also established its own in-house training school, Heads Up Training, which provides drivers with a level 2 NVQ in professional taxi and private hire driving.
Mr McIntosh said the company now has more than 200 private hire cabs, 85 Hackney Carriages, and eight vehicles with hydraulic tail lifts which can be used to carry heavy loads.
And it is looking to expand further and now will look for a new base.
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“Our journey continues, with our next priority being to look for new premises for our head office to accommodate our 30 members of staff,” said Mr McIntosh. “It is a very exciting time at Need-A-Cab.”
The company came into being when newly-created Stoke-based private-hire firm 24:7 Taxis acquired Union Street’s Need-A-Cab? In 2011.
It moved from a small office in Stoke to is current premises in the former Stadium Car Sales showroom, on Ham Drive, Pennycross, shortly afterwards.
Mr McIntosh and Mr Isaac were involved from the start, Mr Evans, who had significant knowledge of the taxi trade, joined the management team as a co-owner after its first merger.
The company trades as Need-A-Cab? but is actually called Taxi Services (Plymouth) Ltd.
Multi-sector Plymouth law firm, GA Solicitors, has advised a Plymouth taxi company on the acquisition of Plymouth Taxis.
James Peterson, partner of GA Solicitors, said: “Need-A-Cab is an ambitious company which is growing rapidly and we have been pleased to support the management team at various stages of their journey.
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“We have now advised them on the acquisition of four taxi firms in recent years and will continue to nurture this long-standing relationship.”
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MrMcIntosh added: “We are pleased to have had the continued support and guidance of GA Solicitors through a period of significant growth and investment.
“James provided expert advice regarding the acquisition, highlighting any risks and ensuring our investment was well protected.
With more than 200 years of heritage, GA Solicitors is a leading Plymouth law firm with 74 members of staff offering guidance across seven specialist departments: business; family; employment; dispute resolution; wills, trusts and probate; conveyancing and personal injury.