What colour are the taxis in london
What colour are the taxis in london
London taxis, black cabs and minicabs
Key London taxi information
Only black cabs can be hailed in the street. If the yellow taxi sign is on, the cab is available for hire.
Black cabs are met ere d, and the minimum charge is £3.20.
Minicabs can be a cheaper alternative. Ask prices beforehand as they are not on a meter.
Only book a licensed minicab with a Transport for London license disc. U nbooked minicabs are illegal, unsafe and uninsured.
Complete your London experience with a ride in one of the city’s iconic black cabs.
How much does a London black cab cost?
London black cab fares are metered, and the minimum charge is £3.20. Additional charges apply when you take a black cab from Heathrow, book by phone, and on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. All black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card without a surcharge.
For a full list of fares, check out Transport for London’s taxi fares information.
You can tip taxi drivers as much as you like, but most people round up to the nearest pound.
How do you call a taxi in London?
London’s official taxis, black cabs can be hailed in the street or at designated ranks located in prominent places, including many train, Tube and bus stations. They can also be booked through the Gett app and by phone.
If the yellow taxi sign on the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles (20 miles for cabs at the Heathrow Airport taxi ranks) or up to one-hour duration.
Are London black cabs accessible?
All black cabs in London are wheelchair accessible and carry assistance dogs at no charge.
Most taxis have a variety of additional features for travellers, including ramps, swivel seat, an intermediate step, seat sight patches, large coloured grab handles, intercom and an induction loop.
Licensed private hire vehicles and minicabs in London
Private hire covers a wide range of services, from local minicab companies to chauffeur-driven limousines. Reputable, licensed minicab companies can offer a cheaper alternative to a black cab.
While the fares are generally reasonable, they are not on a meter. Ask how much the trip costs when you book.
Private hire vehicles and minicabs must be booked at an office, by phone or online.
Most hotels have a list of reputable, licensed minicab operators. You can also find minicab offices on most high streets.
All licensed private hire vehicles have a distinctive Transport for London licence disc in the front and rear windscreen.
Staying safe using taxis in London
Unbooked minicabs are illegal. You may be approached by minicab drivers seeking passengers or offering a service, but these should be avoided because they are unlicensed and uninsured.
Only black cabs can be stopped by customers and can pick up off the street.
Even minicabs lined up outside pubs and clubs are breaking the law if they accept your fare without a booking being made first. Many clubs have licensed minicab operators inside who can take your booking. Check with staff to see if a minicab service is available.
Booking through a licensed minicab company guarantees that your trip is carried out by a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle. It also means that a record is kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle.
Why are London taxis black? A history of the London taxi cab
It’s the end of an era this May as the London Taxi Company officially ends production of its iconic black taxi, which for the past decade has ferried hundreds of millions of passengers both in London itself and in more than 40 countries around the world.
The image of the black cab is as quintessentially British as that of the Houses of Parliament, the Union flag or Big Ben, and for uncountable numbers of tourists the black taxi is the first thing to greet them upon arrival to the UK and the last thing they’ll see before leaving again.
It’s also one of the most prolific vehicles in film and TV anywhere in the world, with the current TX4 model reported to have starred in more than 5,000 films alone, with screen credits for the likes of the James Bond films, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes.
There will, of course, be a replacement for the black cab, but it’ll be very different to the car that preceded it. While the current model is a diesel car and designed to evoke images of the classic black taxi look, the next one will be a hybrid and will largely ditch the retro appearance in favour of a newer, more modern look.
But where did the London taxi come from, how did it become so iconic and why are London taxis usually black? Well, believe it or not taxis have been in London in one form or another for well over 300 years…
The first London taxis
Originally, taxis were referred to as hackneys, a term which originated from the Norman French word ‘hacquenée’ which referred to a horse that was available to hire, and the term persists even with many people still calling traditional black taxis ‘hackney cabs’.
Hackney coaches first appeared on the streets of London in the mid-1600s during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. At the time, buying and maintaining a coach and the team of horses necessary to pull it was a considerable expense, and so to offset the cost many wealthy coach owners hired them out to members of the gentry for use.
As the coaches aged and were replaced by the owners, the second-hand models were often bought by less well-off innkeepers and merchants, who used them to transport customers and patrons for a cost. Unfortunately, these early taxis quickly earned a reputation for excessive prices and poor quality – a criticism that many taxi drivers today will likely still be used to hearing.
To counter this, the first formally organised taxi rank was set up in 1634 by Captain John Baily, who had served at sea for many years as part of the crew for Sir Walter Raleigh’s expeditions to the New World. Baily put four coaches to work on the Strand and ordered the coachmen to wear a specific uniform and to charge set prices for each journey.
Other would-be taxi owners quickly cottoned on to Baily’s idea and within the next two decades the number of taxi services in the capital exploded. However, few seemed to aspire to Baily’s high standards and so Parliament passed the first regulatory bill for taxis in 1654, the ‘Ordinance for the Regulation of Hackney-Coachmen in London and the places adjacent’ in response to the “inconveniences” and “irregularity” of coach drivers in the central London area.
By the 1760s there were more than a thousand licensed taxis on the streets and the coaches garnered the nickname ‘hackney hell-carts’ for the erratic behaviour of their drivers and the often sketchy quality of the coaches themselves.
However, advancements in technology were made with the introduction of the two-wheeled ‘cabriolet’ carriage from France – a term which is still used to describe cars with convertible roofs today – in the early 1800s. Cabriolets, and the later hansom carriage, had the benefit of being faster and more agile than earlier four-wheeled coaches, while they could also be pulled by a single horse to reduce congestion.
Electric taxis
The first motorised taxis were introduced to London in 1897, and believe it or not the very first motor cabs were actually electrically powered. Nicknamed ‘Berseys’ after their designer Walter C. Bersey, fifty of these electric taxis were at work in the city within the year, however they proved too costly and too unreliable and were taken off the streets by 1900.
London’s first petrol taxis were introduced three years later, imported from France. Taxi companies had previously attempted to import the Ford Model B from America but failed due to the huge expense, though other early taxis of the time were built by British companies like Rational, Herald and Vauxhall.
These carriages officially became known as taxis around 1906 when the fitting of taximeters to display fares was made compulsory, while the famous small turning circle of the London cab was introduced as part of the Public Carriage Office’s ‘Conditions of Fitness’ regulations in 1906, which declared that all taxis must have a turning circle of 25 feet at maximum.
Over the next couple of years, the taxi trade exploded in popularity, though it came close to ruin multiple times, first following industrial action by cab drivers in 1911, by fuel shortages in 1913 and later by the outbreak of both the First and Second World War.
Young men who were fit enough to drive taxis for a living were deemed fit enough to fight for their country and so the majority of drivers were called up to serve in the army, while production of the vehicles themselves ground to a halt as factories across the country were converted to produce munitions.
However, in the years between the wars the trade once again increased in popularity, with the first Austin taxi built in 1929. Based on the successful Austin 12/4, it became the most successful taxi cab to date and Austin would go on to produce the FX3 in 1948.
Why are taxis black?
The FX3 was built by Carbodies in Coventry and became the first iteration of what we known today as the ‘classic’ London taxi with its characteristic silhouette and the orange roof sign, which originally read ‘For Hire’. FX3s were originally powered by petrol engines, but this proved too uneconomical for the high mileage taxi drivers typically put in, and so in 1954 Austin swapped it for a diesel.
As well as setting the tone for the general proportions of all black cabs since, the Austin FX3 is also the reason why all London taxis tend to be black in colour. Up until 1948, taxis were produced in all sorts of different colours, but the FX3 was produced in black as standard with buyers having to pay extra for special colours.
For fleet owners, who would typically buy large numbers of the vehicles, the extra cost proved an expense too far and so the vast majority of FX3s on the streets were simply left the standard factory black. These days, it’s not uncommon for taxis to come in all sorts of colours and liveries but they’re still unequivocally referred to as ‘black cabs’ all the same.
In 1958, the FX3 design evolved into the FX4, which still serves as the basis for the modern TX4 models. Probably the most famous of all London taxi designs, the FX4 proved so popular that it remained in production for nearly 40 years, and it’s not uncommon to still see original FX4s on the road today.
Other taxis of the time included the Metrocab, which was introduced in 1987 and produced under license by four different owners throughout a 20-year period, though it was the models based on the original FX3 and FX4 which proved the most popular and the most enduring.
Carbodies, the company which built both the FX3, the FX4 and its successor models, was merged into the London Taxis International (LTI) company and as of 2010 was rechristened as the London Taxi Company (LTC), which still builds the taxis in Coventry.
Over the past six decades more than 130,000 black cabs have been made at the Coventry facility, with between 2,000 and 2,500 built each and every year. Around two-thirds of the cars produced go straight to London via a dealership in Islington, while the remainder are sent to other cities in the UK or to foreign markets keen to capitalise on the evocative look of the London taxi.
The future of the black cab
Unfortunately, production of the TX4 in Coventry will cease at the start of next month, but it’s not all bad news for the black cab. Last year, LTC’s parent company Geely invested close to £300m in a new plant five miles from the original facility to build the follow-up to the TX4, which will reportedly be called the TX5.
Powered by an electric motor in conjunction with a small Volvo petrol engine, the hybrid TX5 will be able to seat six passengers, will be fully wheelchair compatible and will be able to travel on electric power alone for more than 70 miles. Certainly, it seems a long way from its predecessors, but then given that the first motorised London taxis were electric cars, perhaps it’s not that far away after all.
Quiz: Are you an expert on Great Britain?
1. What is the capital of Great Britain?
2. How many parts does Great Britain contain?
3. What is the English flag called?
a. Union Patric
b. Union Jack
c. Lines and Crosses
4. Who is the symbol of the typical Englishman?
5. What is the London underground called?
6. Who is the Head of State in Britain?
a. the Mayor
b. the Queen
c. the Prime Minister
7. What is the river in London?
8. What is the most expensive part of London?
a. West End
b. East End
c. Westminster
d. the City
9. What colour are the taxis in London?
10. The building in the picture is…
a. St. Paul’s Cathedral
b. The British Museum
c. The National Galery
11. If you go to London, you’ll see…
a. the White House
b. St. Paul’s Cathedral
c. Greenwich
12. English people say…
13. What is the home of the Queen?
a. Buckingham Palace
b. the White House
c. Westminster Abbey
14. What city did The Beatles come from?
15. They say the Loch Ness Monster lives in a lake in…
Key: 1. c; 2. b; 3. b; 4. a; 5. a; 6. b; 7. a; 8. a; 9. c; 10. a; 11. b; 12. c; 13. a; 14. c; 15. a
By Natalia Korotaeva,
School “Feniks”, Moscow
London Black Cabs: Hailing Taxis & Journey Fare Calculator
How much is a black cab fare?
These are the prices that you can expect to pay for a black cab in 2022. The fare is based on how long the journey takes rather than the distance travelled, so the same journey can have different prices depending on the traffic.
The price is always 10% higher late at night (8 PM to 10 PM, Mon-Fri) and during the weekend (5 AM to 10 PM, Sat-Sun), and 20% higher in the early hours of the morning (10 PM to 5 AM, Mon-Sun). The highest price shown in the table includes the 20%.
| Central London | Journey time | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mile | 6–13 mins | £6.40 to £11.20 |
| 2 miles | 10–20 mins | £9 to £17 |
| 3 miles | 13–25 mins | £13 to £23 |
| 4 miles | 16–30 mins | £17 to £29 |
| 5 miles | 21–35 mins | £21.50 to £33 |
| 6 miles | 28–40 mins | £26 to £37 |
These are the typical fares to/from London’s airports. An extra few pounds is usually added to the meter before your journey begins to cover the driver’s parking costs.
| Airport to central London | Journey time | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|
| To / From Heathrow | 30–80 mins | £52 to £97 |
| To / From Gatwick | 70–90 mins | £110 to £150 |
| To / From Stansted | 60–90 mins | £135 to £155 |
| To / From Luton | 60–80 mins | £115 to £135 |
| To / From London City | 30–50 mins | £30 to £90 |
Note: If you pre-book the cab over the phone then you’ll have to pay another £2 on top. (Note: the booking fee differs between taxi companies, so you should always ask when you book it.)
You’ll also have to pay an extra £4 over the Christmas and New Year holidays (8 PM on 24th to 6 AM on 27th Dec, and 8 PM on 31st to 6 AM on 2nd Jan).
What are the benefits of getting a black taxi?
What are the downsides of getting a black taxi?
What is the minimum taxi fare?
All London taxi cabs impose a minimum fare of £3.80, which will appear on the meter before you start.
Do taxis accept credit cards?
Yes. Taxis accept payment by cash, contactless or debit/credit card. And there are no surcharges for card payments.
Do taxi drivers expect a tip?
You don’t have to tip the drivers, but it is customary to give them 10%. But most people will just round up to the nearest pound, or the nearest £5, so the driver doesn’t have to root around for change.
Can you haggle with taxi drivers?
No – you always have to pay what’s showing on the meter at the end of your journey.
The only exception is when your taxi journey takes you outside central London, in which case the black cab driver might be prepared to agree a fee with you – but he is under no obligation to. If you want the certainty of a fixed fare then you really should be using a minicab.
How many people fit inside a taxi?
Five – three on the forward-facing sofa seat, and two more on the fold-down jump seats.
But remember that you have to squeeze all of your luggage inside the exact same space (taxis don’t have a boot), so if you’re travelling with some bulky bags then you might struggle to fold down one of the seats.
Are taxis wheelchair accessible?
Yes, all modern black taxis are wheelchair accessible. The driver can place a ramp between the street and the floor of the vehicle, allowing you to ride up and park your wheelchair inside. You don’t even have to get out of the chair if you don’t want to – it can be securely fastened into place by seat belts.
Most taxis will also come equipped with the following accessibility aids: a swivel seat, seat sight patches, intermediate step, large coloured grab handles, plus an intercom and induction loop.
They also carry assistance dogs at no extra charge.
How can you hail a taxi in the street?
You can find taxi-ranks outside the airports, popular tourist spots, and the big mainline train stations (National Rail stations like Charing Cross, Euston, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Marylebone, Paddington, Victoria and Waterloo).
Underground stations do not usually have taxi ranks, but if you hang around for a few minutes then you can usually flag one down in the street (there are over 20,000 of them driving around London, so you never have to wait long). Just stand in a place where it’s safe for the cab driver to stop and stick your arm out into the road when you see it coming. If its orange ‘Taxi’ sign is lit then it should be available for hire. If the light is out then it probably already has a passenger.
Note: It is quite common for taxis to drive around at night with their light switched off. This is so the drivers can pick and choose their passengers and avoid the ones that look like trouble (ie. drunks). So if you see one with its light out at night then it might still be worth sticking your arm out – just don’t be surprised if it drives straight past.
Can a black taxi refuse to take me?
Unless they have a good reason not to (ie. you’re drunk), a taxi driver is obliged to accept any journey of up to twelve miles or within one hour’s driving time – provided it’s within the Greater London area.
They should also accept a journey of up to twenty miles if it begins at Heathrow Airport.
How can you pre-book a black taxi online?
If you want a black taxi to meet you at a certain time then you can pre-book one over the phone. TFL provides some telephone numbers and web addresses for reputable cab companies on their website: tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/book-a-taxi.
Be aware that pre-booking a taxi will add a couple of pounds onto the meter before you start. This might be a fixed fee of a couple of pounds, or it might depend on how far they had to travel to meet you. You should ask the controller how much extra they charge when you book it.
If you want to pre-book a minicab online then try using TFL’s online form: https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12389.aspx. You can also download their ‘Cabwise’ app from iTunes and the Google Play store. Most pubs and restaurants will happily recommend a few trusted companies as well.
What’s the difference between black taxis and minicabs?
There are five main differences between London’s iconic black taxis and minicabs (private hire vehicles):
1) The first is the shape. Black taxis are the ones shown in the photo on this page, with an orange ‘Taxi’ light on the roof. They are usually painted black. Minicabs, on the other hand, have no basic shape at all because they just use normal everyday cars.
2) The second big difference is the way you pay. Black taxis all come equipped with meters so you can see how much you’re spending as you drive along. The driver might be able to give you a rough estimate of the price before you set off, but you will not know the exact amount you’re paying until you reach your destination. The longer it takes, the higher the cost will be.
3) Another big difference is that you can hail down a black taxi in the street, whereas it is technically illegal for minicabs to pick up new passengers in the street – you’re supposed to order one from a minicab office by telephone or email.
Unfortunately a lot of the minicab drivers don’t care about the rules and loiter around tourist hotspots hoping to pick up a fare. You should never get into one of these vehicles because not only is the minicab driver breaking the law, you’re also putting your own safety at risk by stepping into a stranger’s car. How do you know that it’s really a minicab?
4) The fourth difference is that black taxis are allowed to use the bus lanes, so if you’re in a massive rush to get somewhere and you’re worried about the traffic then a taxi might be slightly quicker.
5) And the final difference worth mentioning is that taxi drivers are subjected to an Enhanced Criminal Record check before they receive a licence. (That’s not to say that minicab drivers are unsafe… just that they are not subjected to the same kind of rigorous checks.)
Are minicabs cheaper than black taxis?
Black taxi cabs fares are based on how long the journey takes, rather than the distance travelled. The meter keeps ticking over as you drive along and you don’t know the final price until you arrive. The driver might be able to give you a rough idea before you set off, but if you get stuck in the traffic then the price will go up.
Some minicabs also have a meter inside, but the vast majority of them will quote you a final price before you begin. It is imperative that you agree this price with the minicab office when you book it, and you should also reconfirm it with the driver before he begins the journey. This price is usually cheaper than a black taxi.
If you want the certainty of a fixed fare then you should certainly be using a minicab.
Why are black cabs so expensive?
London taxi fares are certainly expensive, and if you’re travelling alone then you’re probably better off catching a tube train or bus because you can easily blow ten pounds in ten minutes just travelling the one mile between Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Black taxis become much more cost-effective when you’re in a group of three or more people because licensed taxis can fit up to five people, and you only pay one fare between all five of you.
Where is the Lost Property Office for taxis?
If you lose something in a London black taxi (but not a minicab) it will be dealt with by TFL’s Lost Property Office. You can phone them at 0343 222 1234 or use their online form at tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/lost-property. Postal enquiries should be sent to the TFL Lost Property Office, 200 Baker Street, London NW1 5RZ.
You have to give them a description and wait ten days, and then pay a fee if they find it.
Ask us a question… Black cabs are an easy way of travelling around town but people are always wondering about the fares and rules, so we’re happy to answer any questions you have
Melissa How many people will a London taxi accommodate? Are there likely to be taxis at Kensington Olympia and Baron’s Court stations? Thank you!
Staff They can take a maximum of 5 people, but you have to put all your bags and luggage in the same space, so it will be less if you’ve got a lot of bags. You are unlikely to see a cab outside Baron’s Court, the station is right on the street and they don’t have a taxi rank. You’d have to get lucky and flag one down in the street. You might be a bit luckier at Kensington Olympia if there’s an event on that day. The only way of being sure is to pre-book one and have it meet you.
Thegrizz Advance planning for four seniors arriving from Canada are looking for travel options from Heathrow o Euston Rail Station. The Tube is by far the least expensive, but probably the most difficult with luggage. Fares on the LHR Express suggest taxi cabs might be a reasonable choice. Would a black or mini have capacity for four adults plus luggage? Would 100 bps fare be about right?
Gary White Why can’t I book a Black Cab to take my wife to a hospital appointment without paying a minimum fee of forty or fifty pounds. If I wave a cab down it only costs 14 to 15 pounds.
Staff If you pre-book a black-cab over the phone they always add on an extra fee, but it’s usually only a few quid. I would ask them why it’s so much. Or try a minicab company instead, which should be way cheaper.
Denny B What are the rates on New Year’s Day as we need to get from kings cross to emirates stadium
Staff Hi Danny. It’s the same rates as shown in the table above, but you have to pay an extra £4 on top for New Years Day
Jeff Pickering Can i get a taxi from kew gardens to lower mortlake road
Staff I would ring up for one because you can’t count on there being one outside
Ed Fuller Time to get from Liverpool St. Station to Heathrow T3
Staff It depends on the time of day you’re going, the traffic, it could be anything from 30-80 minutes
Sheila Are black cabs mostly dog friendly please?
Staff Hi Sheila. Black taxis are obliged to carry assistance dogs but as far as we are aware normal dogs are at the driver’s discretion, so they can say no if they want to.
Michelle Husband and I are from Australia, needing to travel from Crowne Plaza Hotel near London Heathrow Airport to the centre of Uxbridge at around 8am on a Monday morning. We are planning on catching a Taxi there and back to the hotel within three hours. Any ideas, how long it should take to get there and should we expect the fare to be expensive due to that time of the morning?
Hazel Is there a phone number I can get a price from London fenchurch Street to Chelsea registry office please.
Staff Hi Hazel. If you try that link in the comment above yours then it has a load of companies and phone numbers on it
Frederick I was over charged on the 5th of august. Charged almost double. A whopping 275 pounds from Heathrow to hayling island. I think the meter was broken. I would like to be reimbursed as this is obviously a error with the meter.
London Taxis: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about London Taxis You Might Not Have Known
One of the iconic symbols of the city, London black cabs can be seen whizzing about the streets on a daily basis. Like the yellow cab in America, a London taxi carries with it a certain cultural significance. When Stephen Fry toured America, he did so in a black cab (and actually drives one in Britain as his personal car). But what is it that makes the black cab so important? Have a look below at ten interesting facts and figures about this embodiment of London transportation.
The Knowledge
Perhaps the most important part of being a London taxi driver is “The Knowledge”. This refers to a test that every taxi driver must pass to receive his or her license. Would-be drivers study for 2-4 years in order to develop a working knowledge of London’s 320 routes in a six-mile radius of Charing Cross, which includes 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks. Drivers who pass get a green badge. There is also a yellow badge that covers a smaller, suburban area of London and does not permit drivers to enter the same area as green badge drivers.
Cabs of Many Colours
While black is the most common colour for London taxis, it’s not required to be so. They can be blue, yellow, green, red, whatever. Most tend to be black because of its recognition.
Business Business Business! Numbers!
There are approximately 21,000 black cabs in London. Many cab drivers own their taxi and operate as independent businesses. Technically, you’re stepping into a “shop” each time you enter one.
Hackney Carriage
The first taxicab licenses were issued in 1639 to the Corporation of Coachmen. Hackney carriages, the first horse-drawn carriages for hire, were issued their licenses in 1662, and later became Hansom Cabs in 1834. The first motorised cabs were introduced to London in 1908 and by the 1920s they had superseded hansom cabs as the primary taxi vehicle.
You Must Be This Tall to Ride
By law, taxicabs had to be tall enough for a passenger to sit comfortably while wearing a bowler hat. Additionally, at one time, hackney carriages were required to carry a bale of hay for the horse. This law was held over for a time even after motorised cabs began to operate.
Tight Turns
Black cabs have a turning circle of only 25 feet. The reason for this is supposedly to accommodate the small roundabout at the entrance of the Savoy Hotel. This turning radius later became legally required of all London taxis. Savoy Court is also one of the only places in London where vehicles drive on the right, and it was the custom of patrons to sit behind the driver so that they would enter or exit the cab on the side facing the hotel.
Don’t Shout
Technically, it’s against the law for you to yell “Taxi!” to get their attention. If you see a cab with a lit sign, just hold out your arm to signal them.
What’s in a Name?
The term “taxi” comes from taximeter, the counter used to measure miles traveled and fare. “Cab” was short for “cabriolet”, a French verb for “to leap”, which was a type of taxi and what one did to exit them.
I Really Need to Go
There’s some question as to whether this is real or myth, but some interpret the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847 to permit one to urinate on a London taxi’s left rear wheel provided that the driver’s right hand was touching the cab. The Law Commission refutes this interpretation, but debate of the legality of this action continues to propagate.
Drive On *Cough Cough*
It was also once supposedly illegal for people to hail a cab while suffering from the bubonic plague. This is still partly true, as the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act of 1984 requires a person suffering from a notifiable disease to inform the cab driver, who may then decide whether to ferry the passenger. If he does so, he is then required to notify the authorities and disinfect the cab before taking another fare.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s haircut.