THE last of 13 remaining London taxi shelters has been granted Grade II listed status in recognition of its historical and architectural significance.
Originally 60 of these glorified green sheds adorned the nation’s capital, built by the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund from 1875 onwards.
Offering rest, recuperation and a chance to catch up for thousands of cabbies for nearly 150 years, the shelters were originally designed for when taxis were horse-drawn and often featured a rail so the nags could be tied up.
Luke Jacob, a listing adviser at Historic England said of the buildings, as reported by the Guardian: “Full of intrigue, history, tea and bacon sarnies, London’s well-loved cabmen’s shelters are distinctive relics of the horse-drawn age in the capital.
“Originally built from 1875 for the drivers of London’s hansom cabs, they continue to serve both passersby and cab drivers on the ranks today.”
The final one to be given listed status is in St John’s Wood in North West London, the same location as the first one ever built.
Many of these shelters are still in use for those with The Knowledge, and some huts are even open to members of the public with one in Chelsea being described as a ‘hip foodie hotspot’ offering up organic wines alongside focaccia sandwiches.
The original idea of the shelters was in part to stop cabbies drinking so much on the job. There was no protection from the elements so often taxi drivers would pull in at pubs when the weather took a turn.
Captain George Armstrong, the editor of the Globe newspaper, struggled to get a cab during a storm as all of the drivers were in the boozer. Assuming he wasn’t a fan of buses, he decided to set up the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund, which then built 61 of these buildings – the first of which was erected outside his home.
Each shelter had a small kitchen and could seat around 10 drivers for a meal. Tragically swearing, drinking and gambling were strictly forbidden.
Locations of the remaining 13 listed Cabman Shelters.