Source : Perth Now news
London’s black cab drivers can swap the stress of navigating the capital’s streets for a free portion of fish and chips, thanks to a Mayfair restaurant’s new November offer.
The Mayfair Chippy is giving free takeaway fish and chips to the first 50 licensed black cab drivers who arrive at its Mayfair restaurant every Tuesday throughout November.
The offer comes after almost 1km of Oxford Street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, became traffic-free on October 26, preventing black cabs from using the stretch.
The restaurant said the move was designed as a thank-you to a trade it believes has helped support its business since it opened in 2015.
Mayfair Chippy co-owner Pete Taylor said: “Black cab drivers are already a trade under significant pressure and the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is set to further impact the accessibility of routes drivers have used for years.
“Since The Mayfair Chippy opened its doors in 2015, black cab drivers have continually helped put the iconic fish and chip shop on the map for tourists and locals across the city.”
“This promotion highlights The Mayfair Chippy’s commitment to the black cab industry and recognises how integral cabbies are to London’s transport culture.”
Drivers can claim their free meal by showing a valid taxi driver’s badge or licence. The offer is available at the Mayfair restaurant only and is limited to the first 50 cabbies each Tuesday.
There is also something in it for passengers. Customers who arrive by black cab can claim buy-one-get-one-free on the restaurant’s signature Mayfair Classic, provided they show a same-day black cab receipt.
The dish normally costs £27.25 and includes fried haddock or hake, chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce and a choice of chip shop curry sauce or HP gravy.
The customer promotion runs until December 31 at the Mayfair and Knightsbridge restaurants.
The gesture comes as London’s black cab trade continues to shrink. Transport for London currently lists 15,668 licensed taxi drivers, alongside 13,299 licensed taxi vehicles.
TfL has previously highlighted a long-term decline in the number of licensed cabbies, with the total falling from a peak of more than 25,500 in 2013/14.
