Dawlish News

A couple from Topsham are set to give up a successful taxi business they have run for 15 years for a new life on the sunshine island of Cyprus. Sally Downer and her husband Gary Wills, of Highfields, who own Topsham Cabs, plan to continue in the taxi business after buying a cab firm from a Turkish Cypriot. Miss Downer, 36, said the pair had finally had enough of England's inclement weather and wanted a taste of the good life. She said: "It should be a real adventure - the way I look at it you only get one life and I think you should live it. "Driving shouldn't be too much of a problem when we're out there - they drive on the left there like us.
"The quality of the cars and things like MOTs are all bit dodgy - you don't need a handbrake as long as you've got a brick in the back. "But that's the way things are in Cyprus. We are not at all daunted by the prospect - it's going to be great." Once Topsham Cabs and their house are sold, the pair will jump on the next available flight to the northern Cyprus city of Gtkale. Miss Downer added: "We are all but ready to go. "All we need now is to find somebody to buy the business. "It would be a terrible shame to have to close down after working so hard since 1990 to make it succeed." She added: "But when we do sell, it is important that our customers realise that we won't let them down. "We already have bookings for later in the year, and if we can't fulfil those agreements then we'll give the bookings to another firm."
She explained that her husband would do most of the driving in Cyprus, while she would take on a more managerial role. "I think the idea is that we cater for the increasing number of visitors that are visiting the Turkish sector of the island," she said. Topsham Cabs, which Mr Wills and Miss Downer run from their house, is made up of three licensed cars, and another private car. Miss Downer and Mr Wills make up two thirds of the driving team with friend Tony Goode. Mr Goode leases a car from the couple and drives on a self-employed basis. Mr Wills, 46, a former retained Topsham fireman, said several parties had already expressed an interest in buying the firm. He added: "These things can take a long time. "People are not going to make a snap decision about something as big as this. "It could be a great opportunity for someone who is looking to make a start in business, or someone who just fancies a change."
Miss Downer explained that the attraction of Cyprus was brought to their attention by her parents. "They have a holiday home there, and we have been there lots of times - including on our honeymoon. "We've already had a house built on the island now, and there are lots of other Europeans buying up property. "It's a lovely place where the pace of life is slower, and the cost of living lower." Mr Wills said they had always stayed in the northern, Turkish sector of Cyprus on their holidays.
"The political situation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots is not something we see as a problem," he said. "I don't really understand why more people don't visit it. "The food is lovely, the people are wonderful and the weather is gorgeous - I honestly can't see us missing the UK too much." The couple do not have children but they do have Welsh border collie puppy Jeremiah, also known as Jem, to consider. Mr Wills said they would be getting him a passport so he could come out and join them in their new home. He faces a lonely week of quarantine on arrival, but the couple have agreed that it is worth it.
Anyone interested in taking over Topsham Cabs should call Sally Downer on 07074 877905 or e-mail topshamairport@aol.com