The Cabmen's Shelter Fund was established in 1875 to run huts for the drivers of Hansom and later Hackney Carriages, to shelter from inclement weather and keep them out of the pub.
Back in the nineteenth century by law, cab drivers could not leave a cab stand (rank) while their cab was parked there. This made it very difficult for them to obtain a hot meal and was unpleasant in bad weather.
If they drove to an ale-house or pub to buy food, they would also be tempted to drink alcohol on the job.
The Earl of Shaftesbury and other worthies therefore took it upon themselves to set up a charity to construct and run shelters at major cab stands, mainly to keep the drivers out of the taverns.
These shelters -small green huts- were not allowed to be larger than a horse and cart, as they stood on the public highway.
Between 1875 and 1914, 61 of these establishments were built around London, the first being on Acacia Road, St John's Wood.
Most were staffed by an attendant who sold food and (non-alcoholic) drink to the cabbies. The huts had a small kitchen in which the attendant could cook food that he provided and also food bought in by the cabbies themselves.
The attendant was not paid a wage, but was expected to make an income from the food sales plus tips from the drivers.
The shelters had seats and tables with books and newspapers, most of them donated by the publishers or other benefactors.
Most shelters seated about ten drivers. Gambling, drinking and swearing were strictly forbidden.
Today only 11 still remain with one (Hanover Square) enclosed in the building of the CrossRail project.
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