Concern about 'a few sticks of furniture'
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TiOlE Tribunal's decision in the appeal f Gorrie-Greyhurst Ltd. ("The Commercial Motor ", May 14) against the refusal of a B licence permitting furniture deliveries within a 15-mite radius of Hitchin, raises some questions of interest to household removals contractors and others.
The respondents, Deamer Bros. and W. Smith and Sons. evidently feared that Gorrie-Greyhurst's 30-cwt. van might grow, in course of time, to something much larger, thereby becoming a serious competitor to firms whose sole business was that of furniture removers. By insisting that Gorrie-Greyhurst confine their removals to customers who have purchased furniture from them within one month immediately preceding a removal, established removers are given a large measure of protection; and the two additional fetters applied make this protection virtually absolute. The firm was required to refrain from advertising in the Press its small removals' facilities and its undertaking not to replace its 30-cwt. van with a larger vehicle within 10 years was part of the judgment.
Time Problems
One wonders what the position would be if a Gorrie-Greyhurst customer paid cash for furniture, or signed a purchase agreement for furniture that was not deliveredas is all too possible-within a month. Would the "purchase" have taken place within a month? Again, what would happen in the likely event of the 30-cwt. van wearing out in less than 10 years? Would any discretion be allowed on its replacement?
Small lots of furniture which need to be moved at short notice present removals hauliers with a thorny problem. What will be their reaction to the new B-licence application of Walsall County Borough Council for a 4-ton van and 1-ton van trailer to carry, inter alia. furniture and effects of prospective or existing Council tenants? This modest application, apparently restricted to a 5-mile radius, may be a straw in the wind. Tt is certainly evident that established household removers, most of them operating large pantechnicons, cannot readily provide an economic service for the proverbial "few sticks" of furniture.