Restaurant Diner Lifts: Yorkshire Venue Told to Stop Free Rides Home

Ruth Hansom-Rigby, chef and owner of the Michelin Guide-listed Hansom Restaurant in Bedale, North Yorkshire, has been informed by North Yorkshire Council that offering her customers complimentary rides home after their meals is unlawful. The council stated that Hansom’s husband, Mark, requires a license to transport paying customers, even without a fee.

Hansom-Rigby explained that the practice began organically after noticing patrons struggling with limited transportation options in the rural area. “We kept having to give people a lift home anyway, so we thought we could offer this as something we do to make sure everyone gets home safely, as Mark’s free anyway in the evenings,” she said, as reported by the BBC on April 29, 2026.

The restaurant, which opened two and a half years ago, has garnered critical acclaim, including a nine-out-of-ten rating from The Times’ Giles Coren, who praised the restaurant’s savory bread and butter pudding as “gorgeous, sensual, full of love and truth.” However, Bedale’s location presents logistical challenges for diners, with no evening bus service and the nearest railway station eight miles away in Northallerton. Taxi services are available, but require advance planning, according to reporting from The Guardian.

Limited Transportation Prompted the Service

Hansom-Rigby noted that customers often arrived from areas with limited taxi availability, such as Darlington or York, and found it difficult to secure return transportation. Others were staying in local Airbnbs or hotels where taxi services were unwilling to take short journeys. The couple’s solution was to provide a safe and convenient ride home for their patrons.

“When we first opened, we had a lot of people coming from out of town who didn’t really appreciate the situation with the taxis we have,” Hansom-Rigby told the BBC. “They were coming in a taxi or maybe an Uber from Darlington or York, and thinking they’d just be able to get another one to get home, but that’s not always possible.”

The council’s decision has been met with frustration by Hansom-Rigby, who emphasized that the service was offered in good faith and with no intention of breaking regulations. “This was a complimentary service offered in good faith, with no intention of disregarding council regulations or breaking any laws,” she stated, as reported by The Telegraph.

Council Cites Safety and Licensing Concerns

Tim Grogan of North Yorkshire Council explained the decision, emphasizing the need to protect customers. “The authority needed to ‘protect the customer’ and ensure that the ‘vehicle’s OK, and also the driver’s licensed’,” according to the BBC report. The council is enforcing the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, which governs public transport licensing.

The Times reported that Hansom and her husband began offering the lifts in 2024 as a way to address the transportation difficulties faced by their customers. The practice was well-received, but ultimately ran afoul of local regulations.

Hansom-Rigby expressed a sense of disappointment with the council’s ruling, describing it as “a bit harsh.” Despite the setback, she remains committed to supporting the local community and providing a positive dining experience for her customers.

The situation highlights the challenges faced by rural businesses in navigating complex regulations and providing services to customers in areas with limited infrastructure. While the council maintains its focus on safety and licensing, the case raises questions about the balance between regulatory compliance and supporting local economies.