For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement.

Moving on up (03.08.2010)

Our Political Masters have said to the electorate that savings of up to 40 per cent need to be made in the public sector, either Transport for London were lucky enough to have signed their lease before the axe fell, or just didn’t care when the politicians promised cuts before the election.

Take my little taxi world of the Public Carriage Office, now rebranded with the catchy title “Taxi and Private Hire Licensing”. The renaming of a perfectly understood title for the organisation that regulate taxis and private hire has been undertaken, no doubt at a not inconsiderable cost.

Furthermore, this public organisation have now moved its premises, from the building they have occupied for decades to one of the most prestigious recently constructed office premises in central London.

When charged with the task of regulating private hire the old premises were refurbished to accommodate the organisation’s new responsibilities, but clearly the old building didn’t match the aspirations of senior management so for their new headquarters Palestra has been chosen.

If you know Blackfriars Road you will know this new iconic building, looking top heavy with the upper floors overhanging the lower part of the building in an alarming way.

A simple bog standard office space wasn’t sufficient, for this scaled down department, for that is what it is as they now have withdrawn the counter services offered for cabbies renewing their licences.

But there, those upper floors at Palestra must make a great boardroom to discuss the PCO (oops sorry, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing) future direction, just don’t tell the new Conservative/LibDem Coalition how you are spending the public’s money.