Hansom restaurant, located in Bedale, North Yorkshire, has been compelled to stop providing free rides home to diners after the local council deemed the service illegal under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Owners Ruth Hansom and her husband Mark initiated the rides to help customers navigate the unsafe, unlit roads after dining, especially since there is no evening bus service and the nearest train station is eight miles away in Northallerton. Ruth, an acclaimed chef who won the Young National Chef of the Year in 2017, expressed her disappointment at the council's response, highlighting the lack of effort to find a compromise. The council's corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, stated that while the service was well-intentioned, it posed risks without the proper licensing, which includes necessary insurance and safety checks for drivers and vehicles. The restaurant, which has been recognized in the Michelin Guide and praised by food critics, has become a popular destination for tourists, contributing to the local economy.