Minister Upsets Tour Operators: Co-ordination Undermined
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nPERATORS of excursions and la tours around Sheffield are disturbed by the Minister of Transport's decision on an appeal to grant picking-up rights to Sharpe Bros. (Beighton), Ltd., at the New Inn, Hackenthorpe (The Commercial Motor last week).
In a statement to The Commercial Motor, Mr. B. Goodfellow, general manager of Sheffield United Tours, Ltd.. said that the Minister's inspector might not have appreciated the effect of his recommendation which the Minister has accepted. He might have taken into consideration the fact that there was no wholesale opposition to the application. This was merely because the established operators were at the time still in consultation on the whole question of local excursion and tour licences.
For many years previously Sheffield operators had been at loggerheads on the question of excursions and tours within the city perimeter. Many newcomers had applied for licences in and around new estates, existing operators had opposed them, and, in turn, they themselves had applied for those facilities.
About three years ago the Licensing Authority refused an application by S.U.T. for picking-up points around the city boundary, which included most of the new housing estates. Strenuous objections were made by other operators.
"At the same time." said Mr. Goodfellow, "the Authority suggested that we should get together and endeavour to come to some mutual agreement among ourselves, and if this was done he would be glad to give it his blessing, so far as his powers allowed him.
"About three months ago agreement was reached, along with Sheffield Corporation, that the present excursion licence holders within the city boundaries would not apply for fresh excursions or new picking-up points without mutual consultation among themselves. The existing operators are in a position to provide additional facilities at any time should it be considered these are necessary within the city perimeter. One element of the agreement was that Hackenthorpe was regarded as within the city perimeter.
"Competition in Sheffield is very keen, and it is felt that the highest peak has been reached for full facilities for excursions and tours. Surely it would be preferable to maintain a contract that has been voluntarily agreed with the blessing of the Licensing Authority, rather than open the door in such a way as to create a serious danger to an orderly arrangement."