'Devil's armpit' jibe prompts taxi drivers to get the Hull 'knowledge'LONDON taxi drivers are renowned across the globe for their knowledge – and now Hull minicab drivers want to rival them.
City firm 65 Cars has teamed up with Hull Bid to raise awareness among passengers about Hull's best attractions and heritage.
The scheme comes after an American tourist described the city as "the devil's armpit".
Drivers will be given knowledge sheets full of interesting facts and figures about the city. They will then be expected to recite them and relay to tourists and even regular passengers.
Mark Fleming, managing director of 65 Cars Ltd, said: "An American customer told how someone had spoken very negatively about Hull.
"He said that he had been told to get out of the city as soon as possible because it was the devil's armpit. Of course, we were absolutely horrified by this.
"He then travelled with one of our drivers and was so impressed with the friendliness and local knowledge of our driver that he booked him for a three-hour tour of the city.
"It got me thinking that we could work with HullBID to provide all our drivers with the information which will give passengers an insight into what Hull is all about.
"Our aim is to work with as many businesses as we can to promote our city and this will help us do that."
It is now hoped passengers' journeys will be more entertaining and informative.
The project is part of a wider initiative by 65 Cars to improve the image of Hull's taxi trade before UK City of Culture 2017.
Later this month 65 Cars will open a second office in Princes Avenue.
Waiting passengers will be able to sit inside the new hub and gain more information about the city thanks to TV screens on the walls.
Mr Fleming said: "The screens are all part of our aim of providing passengers with more information about places to visit in Hull.
"We will use them to promote other businesses in the area and to bring the city together.
"We are already in touch with businesses in the city centre through HullBID's evening economy group and the new venture will involve our drivers topping up their knowledge of Hull to make sure the people visiting our city hear some fascinating facts about its history and its current attractions."
In London, taxi drivers must go through stringent training before they obtain a license. They must sit what is known as 'The Knowledge' test, which is believed to be among the hardest city information tests in the world.
Cabbies in the capital must memorise every route, landmark, museum, park, police station, church, theatre and school.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID city centre manager, said: "Taxi firm 65 Cars Ltd works with a lot of businesses in the HullBID area including hotels, restaurants and bars and is in a great position to make a really positive first impression with visitors to the city.
"London taxi drivers are famous for 'the knowledge' and we will help 65 Cars develop a Hull version to raise awareness of Hull's fascinating past and present and attract more people into the city centre."
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