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Despite its links to two failed companies a fresh restricted licence was granted to Barnoldswick, Lancs-based Event Staging & Structures after it gave an undertaking to employ a qualified transport manager. The licence for three vehicles and one trailer was granted by the North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Patrick Mulvenna.

Director Carl Ryder said he started his first company in the late 1990s. It had a very bad debt in 2000 and that business was finished off by the foot and mouth  outbreak as it was involved in a lot of outdoor events. He set up a second company that went well until the lease ran out and it had to move premises, which cost a great deal of money. It also lost a considerable amount of money on a contract and had to close down. He bought much of the equipment back and set up the present company, which was trading successfully.

In reply to the DTC Ryder said none of the creditors had been owed a lot of money. The present company used debt factoring and paid for things as they came along. Asked about a letter of complaint from a former driver, Ryder said the driver concerned would not follow the maintenance system and did his own thing. He had a personal problem with the company's mechanic and physically attacked him in front of office staff. During the course of disciplinary proceedings the driver decided to resign. The truck he drove was subsequently set on fire in the yard.

Ryder said he was not a haulier and although legally the  company did not require a qualified transport manager he felt that it needed one. In granting the licence the DTC said he would ask for a performance review in nine months' time.