A taxi business is joining forces with HullBID to develop a local version of “the knowledge” and raise awareness among passengers about the city’s attractions and heritage.

Mark Fleming, Managing Director of 65 Cars Ltd, plans to equip drivers with fact sheets about Hull to enable them to make journeys more informative and entertaining.

HullBID will support the venture by supplying Mark and his team with the information which will help turn the drivers into mobile ambassadors for the city.

The idea emerged after an American visitor staying at the Holiday Inn Hull Marina congratulated Mark on the customer service qualities of his driver from 65 Cars.

Mark said: “The customer told how one driver from another company had spoken very negatively about Hull. He then travelled with one of our drivers and was so impressed with the friendliness and local knowledge of our driver that he booked him for a three-hour tour of the city!

“It got me thinking that we could work with HullBID to provide all our drivers with the information which will give passengers an insight into what Hull is all about. Our aim is to work with as many businesses as we can to promote our city and this will help us do that.”

The project is part of a wider initiative by 65 Cars to improve the image of the taxi trade and build stronger links with passengers and business partners.

Later this month the company will expand by opening a second office, where technology will be used to help passengers book cars and staff track the vehicles. Customers at the new Princes Avenue office will also be able to wait in comfort in a stylish lounge area equipped with plasma screens.

Mark said: “The screens are all part of our aim of providing passengers with more information about places to visit in Hull. We will use them to promote other businesses in the area and to bring the city together.

“We are already in touch with businesses in the city centre through HullBID’s evening economy group and the new venture will involve our drivers topping up their knowledge of Hull to make sure the people visiting our city hear some fascinating facts about its history and its current attractions.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “65 Cars works with a lot of businesses in the HullBID area including hotels, restaurants and bars and is in a great position to make a really positive first impression with visitors to the city.

“London taxi drivers are famous for ‘the knowledge’ and we will help 65 Cars develop a Hull version to raise awareness of Hull’s fascinating past and present and attract more people into the city centre.”

Website: www.65cars.co.uk