Fresh fears over Edinburgh Taxi Outing with no licence just two days before annual event (original) (raw)

Fears raised that annual event thrown into jeopardy again over lack of licence

Fresh fears have been raised over the annual Edinburgh Taxi Outing, with organisers concerned that they have not yet received a licence to hold the event, just two days before it is due to take place.

The popular event is a staple on the Edinburgh calendar and is funded by Edinburgh taxi drivers who decorate their black cabs and provide a memorable day out for children with additional needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses.

It was then marked safe following a concerted effort from Police Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council’s planning and roads departments along with East Lothian Council. A solution was found and the outing appeared to have been reprieved.

The colourful annual parade in Edinburgh last year. | National World

However, anyone wanting to undertake a parade or procession has to submit an application for a licence to do so from their local authority, with a minimum time scale of 28 days notice.

The application for the Taxi Outing was submitted on April 16 with an acknowledgement received on April 20, 51 days before the event.

Keith J Bell, Edinburgh Taxi Outing Committee secretary, said: “When the licence hadn’t been delivered by Friday I contacted the licensing department when they opened at 8:30 am. I was advised that the application was still pending due to waiting on confirmation from the roads department that they were happy for the event to proceed.

“Which I thought was odd because the roads department had already issued the temporary traffic regulation order for the event on Wednesday. Despite having 23 days more than the legally required minimum, they still couldn’t complete their one job.

“I’m now faced with the prospect of attending at Archerfield on Monday morning at to start setting up the marquees not knowing if we will have the relevant licence granted to allow the event to go ahead as planned.

“I’m hopeful that the council will find some way to grant the licence in time, but it’s totally unacceptable for this to happen with less than 24 hours before the event is due to take place. They might think that that is an acceptable level of service, I certainly do not.”

Children enjoying the 66th Annual Edinburgh Taxi Trade Children’s Outing. | Local Library

A council spokesperson reassured organisers that the Edinburgh Taxi Outing 2026 will go ahead as planned.

She said: “The parade is permitted to go ahead. There may have been some confusion over what documentation the organisers needed/were expecting to receive but there has been ample parade notification, so it can definitely go ahead and the department will be in touch with organisers tomorrow to clarify.”