William Cunningham also stated the 24-hour company is forbidden to pick up passengers in the road outside its building.

This means a customerADVERTISEMENTbetween those hours has to use their mobile phone to book a taxi standing outside the office's door to talk to the phone operator inside, and then walk ten to 20 metres to Richmond Road's junctions with Station Road or Lyon Street West to wait for a taxi.

However, taxis from other companies can pick up in Richmond Road if the need arises.

Keith Piner, a director of Select Taxis, said: "The rules seem a little bit draconian. They have been imposed to prevent our taxis and passengers causing any disturbance.

"But there are two pubs with music open until 1am and a popular kebab shop open until 3am, all within 70 metres. They are drawing people to this end of the town centre, not us."

The railway station and its taxi rank next door are also open until 1am.

The decision by Mr Cunningham, of the planning inspectorate, came after a written appeal by Select Taxis. This followed Arun District Council's refusal of a 2007 planning application by the firm to remove the restrictions which were part of the approval given for the office's opening.

The taxi firm wanted the council to remove the two conditions on opening hours and passenger pick-ups on the planning permission which Arun granted in 1999 for the office.

Select Taxis had operated in recent years over 24 hours. But one complaint to the council about the round-the-clock working drew attention to the existence of the conditions.

Mr Piner said the restrictions increased noise in the streets rather than reduced it. "We argue we do not cause any noise but, by being properly open, we can alleviate it by clearing people who are causing it," he stated.

"It's also not safe for vulnerable people to have to walk down the road, perhaps on their own, late at night when they could have had access to our waiting room with CCTV coverage."

The restrictions mean the office is closed when the last two trains from London Victoria arrive at the station.

Mr Piner estimated a 20 per cent drop in late-night trade had been suffered by the company's usual fleet of 12 drivers working at that time.

Previously, the drivers could be carrying 40 to 50 passengers from the trains some nights. Other nights would see about six wanting a lift.

Select Taxis can challenge Mr Cunningham's decision only by going to the High Court. Mr Piner said the huge cost ruled this out.

He hopes to meet the district council to see if a compromise can be reached.

The decision of Mr Cunningham is being reported to today's (Thursday, May 1) meeting of Arun's development control committee.

http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/448/Bognor-taxi-firm-ordered-to.4036528.jp