With less than a week before Christmas, plenty of people are enjoying nights out in the city celebrating the festive season with work colleagues, friends and family. However unfortunately, caught up in the festivities and after a few Christmas drinks, not everyone takes sufficient care ensuring they are getting a safe trip home when the evening is over.
The safest way to get home after your Christmas night out is in a white Hackney Carriage taxi which you can easily recognise by the white taxi sign on the roof and red license plate on the back of the vehicle.
Hackney Carriage taxi drivers are licensed, regulated and CRB checked by Southampton City Council. They are also the only type of taxi that you can hail from the road as opposed to private hire vehicles which can only pick you up if you have a booking.
At the end of the night, be confident in the knowledge that you are getting a safe ride home - hail a white Hackney Carriage taxi or find us at one of the many taxi ranks located throughout the city.
It's that time of year again - with just two weeks until Christmas Day, many are busy searching for the perfect gift for family and friends in Southampton city centre. With such a great range of shops in Southampton, including over 100 in Westquay shopping centre alone, it's no wonder the city is a popular destination for Christmas shopping. The Christmas market at the Above Bar pedestrian precinct is running until the 24th December and is also attracting those looking to get into the festive spirit.
Unfortunately, travelling to and from the city centre at this busy time can be a stressful experience! Queuing for car parks, finding a space and ending up miles away from the shops doesn't put most people in a festive mood! So why not take a white Hackney Carriage taxi instead? Get dropped off right where you want to be and enjoy shopping with no worries about how long you have parked for or how you will carry all those bags back to the car!
For a stress-free Christmas Shopping trip - use a taxi! You can hail a white Hackney Carriage taxi from the roadside or find us at taxi ranks conveniently located throughout the city centre including at Portland Terrace - outside Westquay shopping centre, Portland Terrace - opposite Asda, at the Bargate in the High Street and opposite Debenhams in Queensway.
Why not take a taxi to the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton? Located in Albert Road South - it's just a short 5-10 minute journey from the city centre. This fantastic museum documents Southampton's fascinating aviation history - a great day out for adults and children alike.
Solent Sky museum offers visitors the chance to:
- Learn about Southampton's significance in aviation history as home of the Spitfire and Imperial Airways flying boats
- See over 20 airframes
- Climb aboard a Sunderland flying boat
- Sit in a jet fighter cockpit
Solent Sky is voted the number one attraction out of 129 'things to do in Southampton' on Trip Advisor. Perfect for a weekend trip or Christmas holidays outing for the whole family!
Are you are a taxi or private hire driver living in the New Forest, licensed by Southampton City Council and working in the city? According to the New Forest District Council website taxi licensing in The New Forest is being paid from our council tax.
However, New Forest District Council (NFDC) licenced drivers as well as drivers for Uber are working predominantly in Southampton not the New Forest! This is having a serious financial impact on our trade. NFDC are also licensing white private hire vehicles that look like very much like our own, which is in our opinion very confusing and conflicting for passengers.
The Southampton Hackney Association are very proud of our city and what it has to offer! Southampton has a rich and interesting history which can be discovered through its many historical buildings, museums and attractions. Just a short walk or drive around the city and you will see the Medieval City Walls, Tudor House, Old Town and Bargate.
Southampton's monumental Civic Centre is a grade II listed building that was built in the early 1930's. It currently houses the SeaCity museum as well as the city's library, art gallery, guildhall and council offices. It is easily recognised by the iconic clock tower which was designed to be seen from all areas of the city.
Did you know that you can climb the clock tower with a Clock Tower Tour? A walk of 200 steps will take you to the top for views across the city and the chance to learn more about the tower's fascinating history.
Find out more about Southamton Clock Tower Tours
The newest addition to the Civic Centre, the SeaCity Museum is also well worth a visit! Interactive displays suitable for all ages offer an insight into the maritime history of the city. The Museum tells the tales of the many people who visited the port throughout history including those on the Titanic which sailed from Southampton in 1912.
Find out more about SeaCity Museum
If you need a ride around the city, look out for a white Hackney Carriage Taxi! Hail from the road or find us at the Taxi Rank located just up the road from the Civic Centre at Portland Terrace.
Chairman of the Southampton Hackney Association, Ian Hall and Vice Chairman, Jim Martin were honoured to be invited to The House of Commons by Ian's local MP Dr. Julian Lewis. During the visit they met with John Hayes, Minister for State, to discuss the private hire and taxi trade efficiency of legislation in the UK. An informal working group was also established and the SHA were invited to respond to recommendations made by The Law Commissions May 2014 report.
It was a great privilege for representatives of Southampton Hackney Association to be given this opportunity.
Southampton Hackney Association taxi drivers have been supporting local charity Wessex Cancer Trust. Steve Russell, a security guard at Associated British Ports, Southampton Docks, organised the fundraising collecting £509 for the charity with help from Southampton Taxi drivers, including the Southampton Hackney Association, along with kind donations from others visitors to the port.
Community champion, Steve, has worked tirelessly for over a decade to support Wessex Cancer Trust, raising over £4000 in total!
Wessex Cancer Trust provide a range of help and support for those affected by cancer including assistance with travel to hospital for treatment, obtaining financial grants and providing information to people to help understand cancer prevention, causes and treatment.
Looking for something new and exciting to do in Southampton? How about a ride on the UK's tallest mobile ferris wheel which is currently located at the Bargate in Southampton city centre? For just £4 a person (£12 for a family of 4) you can experience a unique five minute ride on the 115 foot structure, enabling you to take in some fantastic views of the city and water beyond. If you are lucky to ride on a particularly clear day, you may even get a glimpse of the Isle of Wight! The ferris wheel will be in Southampton until the 28th October so if you fancy a ride, make sure you catch it while you can.
The ferris wheel is located just a short walking distance from the Bargate Taxi Rank - why not pick up a white Hackney Carriage Taxi to take you to your next destination after enjoying your ride?
Fellow Taxi Drivers,
We currently face a number of challenges in our profession, Uber and exhaust emissions to name a few, in addition to occasional difficulties with the licensing department.
So at this time, it is important that we all think positive and stick together! As Hackney Carriage taxi drivers, we provide members of the public with a safe, reliable and comfortable service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Southampton Hackney Association is here to provide help and support to each other in dealing with these difficulties and as a group to make our common interests heard.
It was reported by the BBC today that Transport for London will not be issuing Uber with a new private hire licence due to conduct, '... which could have potential public safety and security implications.' Uber will be able to continue operating for 21 days during which they can appeal.
Read more on the story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41358640
Mr Ian Hall, Chairman of the Southampton Hackney Association, spoke about Uber just this morning on Radio Solent. He welcomes the fact that Uber has lost its licence in London and has, through a Freedom of information (FOI) request, asked Southampton City council what specialist advice they were given to allow Uber to have an operators licence in the city. We await their response.
