The O-Licence held by Kent Top Travel Ltd has been revoked, without a Public Inquiry (PI), after notice of its liquidation.


The licence holder did not request a (PI), so a Deputy Traffic Commissioner revoked the O-Licence on basis that there had been a material change in the circumstances and the entity was no longer of financial standing.
The firm had its roots in Kent County Council’s (KCC) highly-controversial 2005 decision to set up in-house company, arguing that it stimulated competition. It won a large number of contracts, and was heavily criticised as being unfair competition.
After an independent report criticising KCC’s trading companies, in December 2012 it was decided to close Kent Top Travel once its existing contracts expired. The KCC-operated Kent Top Travel ceased trading in October 2013.
Following this, KCC manager Gavin Grant, who ran the in-house operation left and set up his own business, formed in November 2012, using the same name, apparently with the council’s blessing, although it always denied any connection. It latterly held an O-Licence for three vehicles.
