The Mayfair Mob : Licensed Taxi Drivers, Clawing Back Work From The Touts And Reclaiming Our Ranks... By Jim Thomas.

Most drivers will now be aware of the fantastic work being carried out, by a band of night drivers calling themselves the Mayfair Mob. These courageous drivers are tackling the war on touts, one battle at a time....and this is proving to be highly successful. 

It's also extremely welcome to see certain trade representatives openly promoting the actions this group in Taxi trade media. 

Extending the use of the AdVan, has been a major factor in our success. 

          LTDA AdVan helping out at Forge

After the success of the marshals at Novikov's and Forge, there is now a campaign in the LTDA Taxi paper actively recruiting marshals. 

This is a positive step forward and hopefully a step on the ladder to rid our trade of the tribalism (my orgs better than your org) that has held us back for so many years. The work carried out by the Mayfair Mob, utilises members from all trade bodies (Brothers In Arms).

In the space of just a few short months, the Mayfair Mob has acquired two completely new night ranks, previously believed to be unobtainabl. 

  Mayfair Mob regulars, Novikov's and Sketch

With the rank boards firmly in place, we now wait for Westminster council to put down road markings, which should make it easier to keep the space clear for working Taxis. 

Some non believers think it can't be done, as the two ranks in question are only live at certain times of the day. Well if they can sort this problem out in at Benedick's wine bar in Belfast, using the same method, it can also be sorted out in Mayfair. 

See solution below.

     Benedick's, Bradford Place, Belfast

Another major achievement has been the extension to the rank in Cornhill, outside the night venue Forge. Again thought to be impossible. 

Cutting the ribbon on the new Forge Rank extension, now known by Mob members as "The Benidorm Rank". 

Through the medium of social media platforms such as Twitter and FaceBook, the group regularly put out updates as to the current status of Mayfair and City ranks. We are now seeing more drivers joint our ranks, as the touts appear to be receding. Club owners are happy to see the pimps and pushers outside their premises diminishing, although door staff are feeling a huge dent in their nightly backhanders.

The Mob utilise the members only account (@UCGup). This system insures the touts are unaware as to where the work is building up and where "the Mob" will hit next.

A few years ago, Westminster City Council carried out a survey on night venue patrons. It showed beyond a shadow of a doubt, revellers leaving venues will use the first service they see when leaving night venues, whether that vehicle be licensed or not. They regard the fact that door staff have put them in a vehicle, as a sign of authenticity. This is why it's so important we put vacant Taxis outside venue exits. 

Many drivers are saying that night-work hasn't been as bad as had been anticipated at the beginning of the year, this is a direct result of the amount of work being clawed back from the touts by Mob members on the front line, outside the night venues. 

The Mayfair Mob will shortly be expanding their list of achievements and are actively encouraging councils to look at putting licensed Taxi ranks outside every licensed venue. 

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