You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Call</strong> <strong>Sign</strong> <strong>May</strong> 20<strong>06</strong> Page 6<br />
Jery’s<br />
World<br />
Metrocab waves goodbye as<br />
Friday 3 March surely saw the curtain come<br />
down finally on any chance that the<br />
Metrocab had of returning to mainstream<br />
cab manufacturing. On that fateful day, the<br />
Runcorn Bailiff company of Crellins walked<br />
into what had been Metrocab’s premises at<br />
Darwell Park in Tamworth and took back<br />
anything of value on behalf of the landlord.<br />
It was in April 2004 that amidst a fanfare,<br />
the new company handed over their first TTT<br />
since reforming following Metrocab’s administration<br />
14 months earlier with a loss of 100<br />
jobs.<br />
The restructured company had told <strong>Call</strong><br />
<strong>Sign</strong> that they were looking to build 5 cabs a<br />
week.<br />
A Dial-a-Cab TTT with a ‘55’ plate and<br />
some modifications was spotted on the<br />
Finsbury Square rank several times and<br />
seemed to suggest that perhaps Metrocab<br />
were serious. Sadly that does not look to be<br />
Driver 1: “I heard that Dial-a-Cab wuz movin’ to Bradford?”<br />
Driver 2: “Naaah! I ‘eard dat we sold out to Mountview and was bein’ sent to Nairobi!”<br />
Driver 1: “I’ll ask my mates on the Internet, they’ll know cos I fink they are DaC advisors!”<br />
the bailiffs go in...<br />
the case.<br />
DaC driver and avowed Metrocab<br />
user, Keith White (A16) told <strong>Call</strong><br />
<strong>Sign</strong> that he was very disappointed to<br />
hear the news.<br />
“The TTT is undoubtedly the<br />
best taxi ever produced for the<br />
London market. I will now just<br />
have to keep my current cab for<br />
ever!”<br />
The original Metrocab was<br />
launched in the 1980s with a Ford<br />
diesel engine while the TTT Metrocab<br />
had a Toyota drivetrain. Before entering<br />
administration for the first time,<br />
Metrocab at their peak were producing up to<br />
100 vehicles a month. Now it seems certain<br />
that the Metrocab has gone forever because<br />
who in their right mind would contemplate<br />
spending such a large sum of money with a<br />
company having such a poor record…?<br />
GROSVENOR HOUSE RANK<br />
BACK TO NORMAL!<br />
Taxi rank on Park Street to open 5 <strong>May</strong>…<br />
Grosvenor House, the “Grande Dame” of Park Lane, is currently undergoing a multi-million<br />
pound refurbishment programme. The first opening will be the forecourt and lobby area on<br />
Friday 5 <strong>May</strong> 20<strong>06</strong>. From 6am, guests will once again be able to arrive in style using the<br />
main entrance to Grosvenor House, located on Park Street, W1. The taxi rank will consequently<br />
be in service from this time. The full completion of the restoration is due in<br />
2008, with staggered openings planned in stages over the next 12-18 months.<br />
Grosvenor House is the preferred venue for numerous high profile events, including the<br />
BAFTA’s, the Grosvenor House Arts & Antiques Fair and the British Book Awards to name but<br />
a few. Over 100,000 room guests are received every year to the hotel with an additional<br />
300,000 attending events in The Great Room.<br />
The Metrocab TTT - now gone forever<br />
TAXI AIR<br />
CONDITIONING<br />
All makes and<br />
models Serviced<br />
and Repaired<br />
Mobile Service –<br />
We Come to You!<br />
<strong>Call</strong> Mick Wheeler<br />
on 020 8715 0079<br />
Covering London and the<br />
Home Counties
Change language