A DOZEN Cirencester taxi drivers got together to form a co-operative after making a successful bid for the company they used to work for.

In a unique local deal, the 12 drivers arranged to buy the Beeline taxi operation over the next two years through monthly payments.

This week in 1991 their new company, which they ran themselves, drove into action in the town. 

The operation was renamed Corinium Cabs Co-operative and became known as Triple-C.

The company operated from the former Beeline offices in the Beeches Road workshops.

The drivers decided to also take on a management role when they became aware that the Cheltenham based Beeline owner, Rob Bates, was offering the Cirencester end of the business for sale. 

Fred Flinch, who was appointed chairman of Triple-C, said: “The drivers didn’t want to be out of work, so we discussed the situation and decided to form a co-operative.

“We approached the Beeline owner, made him an offer to take over the running of the business under a new name and he accepted. 

“All the drivers will share in policy decisions and we will be meeting as a group once a month and a simple show of hands will decide when we need to take a vote on something.”

“It is going to be very hard work for the next two years but rather than work for someone new we got together and decided we would rather work for ourselves,” said Mr Finch.