No go for Cooper
Page 7
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COLIN COOPER, former managing director of Applespeed of Bradford, which crashed in 1983 owing some £63,000 to trade creditors, has failed in a second attempt to obtain an operator's licence in his own name.
Mr Cooper, trading as C. Cooper Transport, of Cullingworth, was seeking a new international licence for two vehicles and trailers and was opposed by the Road Haulage Association before Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority Norman Moody.
In March, an application for a licence for six vehicles and trailers was refused by Mr Moody on financial grounds after opposition from the FIHA. That decision was later upheld on appeal by the Transport Tribunal.
Evidence was given by Mr Cooper that he was presently working as a driver for Transcare Shipping. He was also buying and selling vehicles. He said Applespeed failed because people failed to pay it and the company grew too quickly. It had been mainly engaged in continental work, but the continental people were shocking at paying — some went bankrupt and some just disappeared. On liquidation he was presently indebted to the company to the tune of £23,060. He had also guaranteed a bank overdraft of £20,000 and there was a £15,000 second mortgage on his house.
For the future, his intention was to hire two vehicles and to work for just two reputable companies — one in this country and one abroad. Premises would be shared with Transcare who would also be giving him some work. His wife's parents had made him a gift of £8,000 to finance the business and were prepared to make a further £10,500 available if necessary.
Questioned by Stephen Kirkbright for the RHA, Mr
Cooper said Applespeed had owed trade creditors £63,000. Its current assets were only £6,086.
He agreed it was not a situation that had occurred overnight. It had tried to carry on as long as possible, he said.
A lot of the trade creditors were owner-drivers and small hauliers. He denied that on his own figures his costs in the first month of operation would ex ceed £9,000.
In reply to Mr Moody, Mr Cooper said he had no idea who owned Transcare.