Taxi Firm Told to Remove Remembrance Poppies From Cars After Council Complaint

A Kent taxi and private hire operator has been told to remove Remembrance poppies and “Lest We Forget” markings from its licensed vehicles after a complaint was made to the local council.

iCars, which operates on the Isle of Sheppey, had displayed red poppy symbols and Remembrance wording on vehicles in its fleet.

Owner Neil McLennan said the markings had been used to honour members of the Armed Forces and those who lost their lives in conflict.

However, Swale Borough Council contacted the operator after receiving a complaint about signage and advertising displayed on the vehicles.

The dispute centres on the council’s licensing conditions rather than the meaning of the poppy itself.

Swale’s published Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy states that third-party advertising is not permitted on licensed vehicles, including stickers and other signs, except for specified vehicle manufacturer or supplier information and permitted operator branding.

The council’s current vehicle guidance also places specific requirements on signage, livery and branding used on licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.

That means the council’s position is based on whether the additional markings comply with its vehicle licensing policy rather than a general prohibition on displaying Remembrance symbols across the borough.

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Mr McLennan has criticised the decision, arguing that the poppy should not be treated in the same way as commercial advertising.

The operator has displayed the symbols for around two years and says its support for Remembrance will continue despite removing the markings from affected vehicles.

According to fresh reports, the matter followed a single complaint made to the council.

Swale Borough Council has said it understands the strength of feeling surrounding Remembrance and is reviewing the issue.

The distinction is important because reports describing the situation simply as a council “banning poppies” risk overstating what has happened.

The action concerns markings displayed on licensed taxi and private hire vehicles that are subject to council licensing conditions. It does not amount to a borough-wide ban on residents or businesses displaying poppies.

The controversy nevertheless raises an interesting question for taxi licensing authorities over whether recognised charitable, commemorative or Remembrance symbols should be treated differently from conventional third-party advertising.

Swale’s taxi policy has previously been reviewed and updated, meaning the council could potentially clarify how similar non-commercial markings should be handled in future if it decides the existing rules need changing.

For now, iCars has complied with the instruction while publicly expressing its disagreement with the decision.

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