In February this year (2024), London Taxi PR were approached by a film team from Bonfire Films who were looking to put together a documentary for Historic England about the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund Green Hut Taxi Shelters. We were asked to help facilitate the interviews with the various Hut patrons and to help ensure that any drivers & regular users were aware of the filming and would be happy to be interviewed on camera, which we were delighted to assist with.
The filming coincided with the remaining Shelter at Wellington Place being given Grade II listed status by Historic England
The crew visited all the remaining Shelters currently in use, as well as those currently closed, to get images of both interior and exterior shots. We were happy to accompany the crew and be present for several interior interviews with both drivers and the Shelter Keepers, who provide service to both drivers and the public, all of which were filmed over a period of several weeks. It was a great experience, and getting to meet some of those who use the Shelters regularly, as well as some new and old familiar faces at the Shelters behind the window, and those who had moved to a new site.
We were happy to help facilitate with this filming process, despite several filming days being hit by the bad weather, the finished product looked excellent, and it was nice to be thanked for our assistance by the crew, Historic England, and the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund.
The finished product is excellent and provides an insight into some of the characters behind the windows and those who regularly visit them. The banter is great and those interviewed provide a very interesting background on what they do, how long they have been involved in the profession, and what’s their most popular serving. It’s all there.
Have a look for yourselves and enjoy, as much as we did being involved.
The film is live on Historic England’s YouTube sight and can be viewed here.