Trading Standards called over Exeter rival taxi firm rowCOMPETITION between rival taxi firms in Exeter has led to Trading Standards being embroiled in a dispute over a spoof website.
It is the latest twist in what has been described as a "tit for tat" row involving Exe Cars and Apple Central Taxis.
This week Exe Cars complained to Devon County Council's Trading Standards department and the city council's licensing team about a website purporting to advertise a non-existent firm called Exe Cabs.
The homepage – which has now been taken down – featured a logo similar to that of Exe Cars alongside the phone number for Apple Central Taxis.
Exe Cars marketing manager Vincent Miller said: "There's healthy competition, which everybody needs to keep you on your toes, but we feel they have overstepped the mark here. Our complaint is that customers could be misled.
"Exeter City Council confirmed its licensing team was looking into the matter. A spokesman for Devon County Council said: "We have received a complaint and Trading Standards are currently investigating.
"When contacted by the Echo, Steve Screech, general manager of Apple Central Taxis, said:
"The site doesn't exist any more. It's something that was mocked up in jest and it shouldn't have gone live.
"We have reported them to the council about some things they have posted on Facebook. It's a bit childish and tit for tat, and someone came up with the idea of a different website. It's now been deleted."
Apple Central Taxis was formed in 2014 by the merger of Capital and Gemini Taxis following their acquisition by Weston-super-Mare based Apple Taxis.
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http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/T ... z457YAsuyu
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