'Phone glitch has forced us to close'

PLYMOUTH'S Anytime Taxis is looking to take legal action against telecoms giant BT after a phone glitch drove it out of business. The Union Street-based company has ceased trading after losing nearly all its drivers when custom fell away because people couldn't ring its number.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

Ben Burgess, who owned the company, said he was "devastated" at losing a business he only started in late 2021 and had been steadily growing. He said: "It's not sustainable any more and it's because of BT. And it's devastating. The amount of time and energy I have put into this business is huge. I even missed my daughter's sports day because I was working."

Mr Burgess has lodged a complaint with the Communications Ombudsman and has taken legal advice. He said he is considering a £200,000 claim against BT to make up for lost trade and to cover £35,000 of contracts and loans he is personally responsible for.

He said: "We are looking to claim back every penny for foreclosure. I have got bills to pay and a family to feed. The figure of £200,000 is a rough number, it is not including the lost earnings I will try to get back for the drivers."