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Taxi firm may take over empty shop
A SHOP which is available to let in Rushden could soon be turned into a taxi booking office.
Blue Corner Cars has applied for permission to use an empty shop in the precinct in High Street South so it can move out of its small office in High Street.
Business partner Mick Peck said: "We've been running for a year in an office about 12ft square and because our business has grown we need to move to bigger offices.
"There have also been fights outside our current office in High Street and we've suffered vandalism to some of our cars so we want to take our drivers out of that environment.
"It makes sense for us to move to High Street South because there are no taxi companies at that end of town and there are lots of new developments up there.
"We currently have 10 drivers and my business partner and I run the office but the move will allow us both of us to get out on the road to boost our car numbers and we will employ three new office staff."
The scheme for 15 High Street South has not been opposed by highways authority officers, who have said there is not a history of problems in the area and there is enough on-street parking to cope with the change.
But Taylor Griffin estate agents, which is also in the precinct, has raised objections.
In a letter to East Northamptonshire Council's planning department, Peter Griffin, said: "While we would be pleased to have the premises occupied we consider this use would be totally unsuitable.
"The precinct provides parking for the users of the premises and their customers, which is already congested, and a fleet of taxis, if parked on a long-term basis, would considerably reduce the availability of spaces.
"Furthermore, it would increase the flow of traffic on to a very busy highway."
But Mr Peck said Blue Corner Cars only wanted to use the new site as a booking office, not as a taxi rank.
He said: "Our vehicles will be out on the road and if we ever need to park more than one vehicle outside the office we have permission from the Wheatsheaf pub to park there."
The plans are being considered by the district council and if they are approved the taxi company hopes to move in to its new offices by May.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
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