'˜It's costing us money' - Sheffield shop in taxi rank row with council

A taxi rank installed in front of a city centre business is costing the owner hundreds each week in lost revenue, the shop's manager has said.
Cobblers & Keys shop manager Howard NotaCobblers & Keys shop manager Howard Nota
Cobblers & Keys shop manager Howard Nota

Cobblers & Keys manager Howard Nota, said council workers turned up and installed a taxi rank outside the West Street business without asking them if they objected or not.

Mr Nota told The Star the owner has said to him it’s cost around £300 a week in lost trade over two years.

Howard Nota's view of the shop which is blocked by taxis throughout the dayHoward Nota's view of the shop which is blocked by taxis throughout the day
Howard Nota's view of the shop which is blocked by taxis throughout the day
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The council said they were fast-tracking the work to change the taxi lay-by.

“Taking have been down since it was installed,” Mr Nota said.

“We often get people ringing us up asking where we are because they often miss us because taxis are blocking the view.

“I think the council should refund some business rates because it’s really not fair.

Taxis blocking the view of Cobbler & Keys on West Street in Sheffield city centre has cost the shop £300 a week in takings since the lay-by was set up in 2014,  the owner claimsTaxis blocking the view of Cobbler & Keys on West Street in Sheffield city centre has cost the shop £300 a week in takings since the lay-by was set up in 2014,  the owner claims
Taxis blocking the view of Cobbler & Keys on West Street in Sheffield city centre has cost the shop £300 a week in takings since the lay-by was set up in 2014, the owner claims
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“We’ve complained and the council have said they would do something about it, but nothing seems to be happening. We are not being taken notice of at all.”

Mr Nota added at least one taxi is parked in the lay-by at all times during the day.

Coun Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for transport at Sheffield Council, said: “We have listened to the views and identified the taxi rank outside Cobblers & Keys as one of five ranks that Sheffield Council will work on during this financial year.

“It will be re-designated as an evening-only rank for seven vehicles from the hours 6.30pm to 6am and will no longer have 24-hour provision, so the problem caused by taxis in the daytime should be eliminated.”