Cabman's shelter, Northumberland Avenue, London
The drivers of hansom cabs and hackney carriages in Victorian London were not allowed to leave their vehicles when they were parked at a taxi rank and it was thus hard for them to get a proper meal while working. In 1874 the Earl of Shaftesbury and friends decided to set up a charity, the 'Cabman's Shelter Fund' to provide and run shelters on the street that would provide hot food and drinks at prices they could afford. As these were on the street, police regulations limited them to the footprint of a horse and cart, but in the space they provided a small kitchen and seating for around a dozen men. As well as food, they usually had newspapers and other reading material, as well as strictly enforced rules prohibiting swearing, gambling and alcohol. Around 61were built in London from 1875-1914, and 13 remain, still run by the Cabman's Shelter Fund, and are now Grade II listed buildings.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Northumberland Avenue, London, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © AC Manley / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: avenue, cabbies, cabman, cabmen, charity, customers, drink, driver, food, grade, green, hatch, ii, listed, london, man, northumberland, painted, philanthropy, refreshment, serving, shed, shelter, taxi, victorian, wooden, working
