Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:47 am Post subject: Financial meltdown, or a "2 bob" mini cab drivers
WELL,
in good `ol Romford........
Ex-brokers now drive minicabs
10 July 2009
JOBLESS City workers are turning to mini-cabbing to make ends meet, it emerged this week.
Ian Jensen, co-owner of Romford Cars, Albert Road, has employed about a dozen former mortgage brokers and bankers since Christmas.
He said: "They've come to us because there's no work out there for them and they're desperate.'' The tables have turned for former City spendthrifts more used to being ferried across the capital than driving others. As the Recorder reported last month, Havering has London's highest rate of rising unemployment, swollen by laid-off ex-Square Mile employees and those from the hospitality and retail trades typically vulnerable to the recession.
Kevin Low, controller at Star Minicabs and Couriers, North Street, Romford, has also noticed a shift in applicants.
"We've recruited around half a dozen people from outside the industry;" he said, "mainly small, independent shopkeepers who've come to us over the last three or four months.
"People like them have found it tough. It's a case of the more the merrier for us."
Mr Jensen also revealed that he fields about ten enquiries a week from a variety of desperate jobseekers.
"There are more people enquiring than I can employ, and the demographic is much wider," he said.
It takes between eight and ten weeks - and around £400 - to acquire a London minicab licence from the Public Carriage Office.
Candidates need to own their own car and pass a topographical test of the M25 area set by the Licensed Private Hire Association.
In addition, hopefuls must complete a Criminal Records Bureau check and have a clean bill of health.
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