taxi-hackney

Hackney is a London Borough situated to the North East of the city. It covers some very popular and trendy areas such as Hoxton, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington, as well as some poorer and more run down areas outside the inner city. It’s one of the official host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and is undergoing extensive redevelopment. However, there are some areas that must be left untouched, because Hackney has 1,300 listed buildings, including Hackney Empire along with Victorian and Georgian architecture, as well as conservation areas. It’s very important to keep some of the historical character of the city, never forgetting our roots.

You might have heard the expression ‘Hackney cab’ before, even when people aren’t referring to the synonymous London Borough. The London taxis you see on a daily basis are known as ‘Hackney Carriages’ or ‘Hackney cabs’, which refer to any licensed minicab for hire (regardless of the location). That means that you might order a Hackney cab when you’re in Scotland, which is a little bit out of our coverage area! However, it is widely thought that the name was taken from what was once a village outside London, famed for its horse drawn carriages. Even in the USA, taxi drivers are sometimes referred to as “hacks”; the word spreads far!

In June 2012, Hackney Marshes will host the biggest ever live music event put on by the BBC where the tickets are free! You can expect to see big name performers such as Leona Lewis and Plan B amongst the star-studded line up. It will be the most exciting event that Hackney has ever seen; it has been planned to coincide with the Olympics, which will bring a record number of tourists into the city. These events could be a fantastic opportunity for London, giving our economy a much needed boost. People living in North and East London are just hoping it won’t disrupt their lives too much! If you’re heading to the 2012 Summer Olympics or the BBC Music event, don’t forget to book a Hackney cab to make sure you get there in time.

It’s becoming more and more popular to live in Hackney, so expect some of the property prices to increase. If you’re just visiting, you’ll find plenty to do here; for those into the arts, there are galleries, exhibitions and theatre productions. It’s a great area for vintage clothes shopping, and there is a great selection of independent restaurants too. The nightlife is lively, especially as you get further into the city. Remember to book a taxi in Hackney when you’re going out for a drink or four!