Professional Driver Magazine April 2022

Take Me adds West Country operator A1 Ace Taxis to growing national portfolio

Ambitious private hire operator Take Me Group has made another takeover in the West Country. The deal, which brings 80-car fleet A1 Ace taxis of Bridgewater and Taunton into the group, is Take Me’s third of 2022.

The group has so far this year added two Yorkshire operators, Station Taxis of Malton and Star Cars of Catterick, to its portfolio, which also includes ADT Taxis, VGT Taxis, TC Cars, Steve’s Taxis, Tower Cabs, Taxifirst, Westside Taxis and Intercity Private Hire.

A1 Ace Taxis owner Mike Davis said he was delighted to be joining Take Me: “It has been a great experience meeting all the team from Take Me. I know that now being part of a national group but with a local focus will really help my drivers and offer our customers a better service.”

A1 Ace is the largest taxi firm between Bristol and Plymouth. The company also runs an MOT centre,

as well as its own garage services. A1 Ace will work closely with Take Me’s existing Plymouth-based operations, Taxifirst and Tower Cabs, both of which were acquired in 2021.

Davis acquired A1 Taxis in May 2008, then added another local firm, Deane Taxis, in September 2008 The company then merged with Ace Taxis in August 2009. The company runs on a Cordic despatch system and would be staying on that system “for the time being” according to Take Me Group CEO David Hunter.

He continued: “2022 is shaping up to be a great year. We have already added Station Taxis of Malton and Star Cars of Catterick, so to add A1 Ace Taxis in the Taunton and Bridgewater areas helps us cement our expansion plans.”

He continued: “I know Mike will bring some new ideas which we can share around our other teams. The power of a network is the best way forward for our industry, and we are always open to new conversations with taxi owners who would like to find out more.”

“This is how as a group we get better with every new company that joins us. Each brings its own unique skills, and together we become stronger. Keep your eyes peeled for what may happen in April!”

Davis worked with Take Me director John Gardner to complete the deal. Davis added: “John and David both come from the taxi industry. They are all ‘taxi people’ and understood exactly what sort of problems and solutions we need. It will be good for my business, my drivers, and staff to now be part of Take Me.”