Taxi Driver Online

Apart from the more obvious problems, what makes me think this would be a total pain for controllers trying to organise passengers, and for drivers turning up for them?

Norwich taxi firm bids to open restaurant for drivers and customers

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/courtesy-t ... -1-5831804

A taxi firm in Norwich city centre hopes to open a restaurant under its headquarters for customers, nearby businesses and drivers.


Image: Mark Finlay/Eastern Daily Press

Courtesy Taxis has submitted a premises licence application to Norwich City Council over 77 Prince of Wales Road, which is underneath its 50-seat waiting area.

The application says: “The restaurant will be laid out with 56 covers with its servery and payment counter in the middle of the space where the seating ends.

“Hot food and drink, snacks and sandwich type meals will be served from here. Food will be cooked and prepared in a bespoke kitchen area behind the servery.

“The intention is to provide coffee and snacks to drivers in the connected main taxi office whenever open, to businesses and walk-in customers during the day, to nearby workers and commuters in the early evening and then to customers while waiting for their taxi transport late at night and into the early hours.”

The application, lodged by managing director Mark Streeter and published on the city council’s website, says food and non-alcoholic drinks would be available to eat in or take away.

Mr Streeter said it would be a continuation of its “safe haven” office, where revellers are able to wait for their taxi in a safe environment at the end of their night.

“It has worked, it’s been a very good safe haven taxi office,” he said. “People come here and stay safe, and the police like it.

“Everybody comes out [at the end of the night] and all they want to do is eat and go home. We are the go home bit, and if we can do the eating bit too it means it will be one safe and controlled area for them to go.”

He said the plans had been in the works since late September, and that there would be door staff at the restaurant.

Its proposed opening hours are listed as 8am to 5am, and until 7am over New Year’s Eve.

The application was received on December 12, with people now having the opportunity to comment to the city council until January 17.

In 2013, the firm was part of a Channel 4 documentary showing the demands of running a taxi business.

What kind of 'restaurant' needs door staff

A late night one specializing in feeding pi** heads.

_________________
IDFIMH

Same as the kebab houses round here that have door staff.

Well there's a surprise.

Police warn taxi firm’s bid for restaurant could create ‘flashpoint for disorder’

https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/po ... -1-5880923


Mark Streeter, managing director of Courtesy Taxis (Image: Simon Finlay/Norwich Evening News)

Police have objected to a taxi firm’s bid to create a restaurant underneath its waiting area, warning it could become a “flashpoint for disorder”.

In December, Courtesy Taxis submitted a premises licence to Norwich City Council relating to 77 Prince of Wales Road, which is next to its 50-seat waiting area.

They hope to turn it into a 56-cover eating area, serving hot food, snacks, sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks.

With plans to open it around the clock, managing director Mark Streeter said it would serve businesses and walk-in customers in the day, taxi drivers, commuters and those waiting for a taxi in the city’s clubland.

But police have raised concerns about the bid, ahead of a meeting of the city council’s licensing sub committee, which will meet on Monday, February 11 to decide on its fate.

In a letter to the council, they said: “The granting of this licence could cause incidents of disorderly and violent behaviour both inside and outside the immediate vicinity of the premises due to the location and the timings requested to operate.

“The premises is located immediately next door to the Courtesy taxi rank on Prince of Wales Road, which already attracts large groups congregating outside waiting for taxis.”

They said while there is generally a taxi marshal in the area on Friday and Saturday nights, there is often “a mass of people in this area blocking the path”.

“The operating of this takeaway will result in more patrons within the area, potentially turning this area into a flashpoint for disorder,” their letter said.

They said its 24-hour opening would give “no reason for patrons to head home”.

According to council papers, released ahead of Monday’s meeting, there have been no representations made by local residents.

Mr Streeter previously said the area would be a continuation of its “safe haven” office, where people are able to wait for taxis in a safe environment at the end of the night.

“Everybody comes out [at the end of the night] and all they want to do is eat and go home. We are the go home bit, and if we can do the eating bit too it means it will be one safe and controlled area for them to go,” he said.

I bet that waiting room is an utter joy on Friday and Saturday nights.

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IDFIMH

Norwich taxi firm to open new café and restaurant

https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/co ... -1-5964779

A new café and eatery set up by a Norwich taxi firm could be open before summer, as work gets under way.

In December, Courtesy Taxis submitted a premises licence to Norwich City Council to set up the restaurant area at 77 Prince of Wales Road, which is underneath its 50-seat waiting area.

It was approved in February, and with initial works having now started, Mark Streeter, the firm’s managing director, said it could be open in as little as eight weeks time.

The area will be open to taxi drivers, members of the public and nearby workers during the day, when it will serve hot drinks and light bites such as sausage rolls and toasted sandwiches, while in the evening it is likely to cater for those enjoying a night out, when its menu will change to hot meals such as pizza and chicken.

Meals and non-alcoholic drinks will be available to eat in or take away.

Courtesy is thought to be the first taxi firm in the country to launch its own eating area.

Mr Streeter said “anybody and everybody is welcome”, and said its opening would see the firm provide an “all in one” safe space for diners waiting for a taxi after a night out.

He said: “Having been a taxi driver for 15 years I’ve experienced first hand people getting slung out at the end of the night and having nowhere to go.

“That’s why we created our safe environment waiting area, and we’ll be extending that into [the restaurant].

“People can wait for their taxi in a safe environment, and get something to eat in a safe environment too.”

There will be CCTV in the restaurant, as well as door staff.

With planning permission and a premises licence now in place, he said they had the green light to go ahead, but with more works to complete and some furniture and fittings to buy, it would be a few weeks until opening.

In 2013, the business welcomed in camera crews for a fly-on-the-wall documentary showcasing the demands of running a taxi firm.