Expansion by taxi firm set to create 200 jobs

Wirral-based taxi company Argyle Satellite Taxis is to invest £100,000 in Cheshire West and Chester, creating employment opportunities for more than 200 people across the borough of Ellesmere Port and Neston.

It said the investment is part of a wider strategy aimed at boosting the local economy and supporting local businesses.

The firm believes that providing an improved and reliable transport service will, ultimately, attract entrepreneurs and business owners to invest within the borough, especially those whose trade is within the night-time economy, such as restaurants and bars.

Argyle Satellite Taxis has around 700 self-employed drivers completing more than 55,000 journeys every week throughout Wirral, Cheshire and Merseyside.

Following increased demand for service in the Cheshire towns over the past 18 months, Argyle Satellite successfully applied for, and were recently granted a CW&C (Cheshire West and Chester Council) private hire operator’s licence.

The decision to apply for the licence was made to ensure that Argyle could provide customers with local drivers with greater knowledge of the area.

Argyle chief operating officer, John Dunne, stressed the importance the business has placed on its expansion plan, saying: “The Ellesmere Port and Neston expansion is a stand-alone model, targeted to be driven by the people of these areas.”

He added: “The Wirral fleet of drivers will be used to support the area and to assist in improving efficiency, but I must stress that we are looking to create an Ellesmere Port and Neston private hire company, operating within the brand of Argyle Satellite Ltd.”

Chris Jordan, Argyle Satellite chief executive, welcomed the move towards Ellesmere Port and Neston as a major benefit to the transport infrastructure throughout the borough.

He said: “There is no doubt that this exciting opportunity not only benefits Argyle Satellite, but also creates potential employment across the borough for other businesses.”

With a full service due to launch across Ellesmere Port and Neston from November 5, Andrew Jordan, business support manager for Argyle, is confident there is demand for the service: “By providing customers with a greater range of booking methods, using the most up-to-date technology and equipment, customers can book their journey in many ways.

“Our call centre handles more than 30,000 calls a week. However, we now have a market-leading consumer app.”

The firm said it has already attracted several CW&C-licensed drivers during its pre-launch and is looking to recruit more drivers to help meet demand as the busy festive period approaches.