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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Ben Abbiss

Leeds taxi drivers called to 'house parties' all through night despite ban on households mixing

Taxi drivers in Leeds say they can still spend all night ferrying people to and from 'house parties', despite the current ban on households mixing.

One driver for a well-known Leeds firm, who did not want to be named, said there is "no limit" to the number of people needing lifts between houses at "all hours of the night".

In Leeds, it has been against the law to meet people from other households in a private home or garden since September 25.

The driver said: "They are all quiet house parties now, where as at the start of the pandemic there was a lot more loud ones with DJs and more people. I think the police have stopped all that.

"Now it is only small meetings of people but they are in every area of Leeds and need picking up at every hour of the night so there is no limit.

He added: "People are a lot less drunk and more respectful. For a taxi driver it is much better because you know who you are picking up. It is not people very drunk in town when sometimes they are fighting or being sick."

"For a taxi driver it is much better because you know who you are picking up"

On September 22, Boris Johnson announced that pubs, restaurants and bars must close at 10pm in England, meaning taxi drivers are often competing for the majority of a night's fares at the exact same time.

Another driver, for a different Leeds firm, said he also picks people up from 'house parties' throughout the night but the new rules have still left him looking for other ways to supplement his income.

"There are enough house parties to keep me going but it has definitely been tough, especially since the 10pm rule," he said.

"I have stared doing deliveries for a friend's shop, so I am seeing how that is going.

"I know a lot of drivers have done Uber Eats but the pay is so bad.

"I feel sorry for the black cab drivers, they are really struggling. A lot have joined us now instead."

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