Relocated, Cabmans Shelter - Temple Place, London
Posted by: 
SMacB
N 51° 30.664 W 000° 06.890
30U E 700200 N 5710606
Looking like overgrown garden sheds, these distinctive buildings can still be found on the streets of London, offering shelter for the drivers of hansom cabs and hackney carriages (taxis) since 1875.
The shelter was moved in the 1960's.
Waymark Code: WMN1P8
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/08/2014
Views: 5
This shelter was moved about 120 ft from the site of the lobby of the former Swissötel Howard, 12 Temple Pl, London WC2R 2PR in the 1960's.
"Because cab drivers weren't allowed to leave their vehicles when parked at a stand, it was difficult for them to get a hot meal while at work, so The Earl of Shaftesbury (God bless 'im) and a few philanthropic chums decided to create a cabbie's charity in 1874.
Entitled the Cabmen's Shelter Fund, the charity set out to construct and run shelters to provide cabbies with 'good and wholesome refreshments at moderate prices.'
Between 1875 and 1914, a total of 61 shelters were built at cost of around £200 each.
Because the shelters stood on a public highway, the police stipulated that they weren't allowed to be any larger than a horse and cart.
Even with those restrictions, the huts still managed to wedge in a working kitchen and accommodate between ten and thirteen men.
The shelters came with seats and tables and were stocked with books and newspapers, usually donated by the publishers and other benefactors. Gambling, drinking and swearing were strictly forbidden.
Still maintained by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund, thirteen of these shelters still exist (all now Grade II listed buildings)."
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"In the 1960s developers knocked down four ancient streets running down to Temple Place to allow for a hotel to be built presumably so American tourists could see just the sort of roads they had destroyed. When the hotel reached completion the architects were amazed to find that just at the spot they’d planned to put their grand hotel entrance there was a green cabbie’s shelter.
With typical corporate stupidity they tried to use their financial might to have the shelter removed by the authorities, but they were told that the shelter had been there since 1880 and was staying put. With the image of their rich American visitors being greeted by a ramshackle old shelter they were forced to beg for its removal. For a price the shelter was duly moved a few yards down the hill away from the hotel’s lobby.
The green shelter is still there, but the hotel has since closed – awaiting redevelopment."
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