Private Hire taxi firms will not be allowed to wait and pick people up from the stadium/rank by law. Only Black Cabs can pick up people who haven't actually phoned a taxi. You would have thought the council who are part owners in the stadium would know about this law because they regulate it.

Surely having a taxi rank with waiting black cabs at the facility (during busy times) will be a very convenient service for visitors leaving the place.

If there is a financial agreement with a private hire taxi firm as mentioned in an earlier post then I can see this story making the headlines in the local advertiser. (Considering a taxi rank was shown on the original stadium plans)

Wasn't the law preventing pickups anywhere dropped a few years ago to encourage competition?

I thought the hackney's waiting outside were a great idea, though I wouldn't be too keen on them keeping the meter running while trying to get off the car park!

No the lady cabbie was telling me that the club were moving the black cabs iff the stadium grounds as they didn't have permission to pick up there. If I understand the law it states that a black cab can pick up anywhere?

and so can a private hire vehicle. The only difference is that ph cars cannot wait in a Taxi rank nor use Taxi lanes etc, as they are not infact a 'taxi'. Also, ph vehicles cannot solicit for business on the street (but may be approached by a prospective client no matter of the location) It is then the ph drivers responsibility to book any consequential fare via his operator to ensure that insurance regs are met. (Although these rules appear to go completely out of the window in the vicinity of The Printworks at 2.30 am on Friday and Saturday night )

My understanding is that black cab tarrifs/fares and the number of cabs allowed are controlled by the local authority to keep the prices and market competitive.

See Rotherham Uniteds new ground slight resemblance to our pie in the sky 'iconic' stadium all what scaled down considerably, 12k capacity costing 25 mill. http://www.rotherhamunited-mad.co.uk/sn ... ndex.shtml Also just been looking at pics of the saints stadium, I well aware they own theirs but they have some nice finishing touches that makes it feel like home, some nice players memorials and player fact posters at the stand bars, also have a fans bar.

See Rotherham Uniteds new ground slight resemblance to our pie in the sky 'iconic' stadium all what scaled down considerably, 12k capacity costing 25 mill. http://www.rotherhamunited-mad.co.uk/sn ... ndex.shtml Also just been looking at pics of the saints stadium, I well aware they own theirs but they have some nice finishing touches that makes it feel like home, some nice players memorials and player fact posters at the stand bars, also have a fans bar.

you would think that the management committee would want to brighten the bars and public concourses and the easiest cheapest way would be pictures of past heros on the walls and the naming of the bars in the stands to give it a homely feel. at present it is like a clinic.

The (SMC) Stadium Management Company can do what they choose but I think its imperative for the overall success of the stadium that they work with the club and the fans. From what I’ve witnessed so far it would appear they are a little naive in assuming that the match day expectations of rugby supporters is the same as Premier League football.

For instance the omission of a supporters bar will only encourage people to drink elsewhere in the comfort and atmosphere of a pub before and after the games. (Lost revenue, few will use the concourse bars) What the SMC must understand is rugby is a more social sport where the players and club officials are not completely alienated from the regular fans like millionaire football stars and their bosses. I would imagine that many supporters who have followed the club for years and experienced regular social interaction with their favourites are going to feel totally cut off now.

Surely the SMC have the space to put a supporter’s bar in the main stand that could be utilised as an extra function room on a year round basis to justify the expense. If the St Helens bosses didn't believe a supporters bar at their new stadium was important for customer relations they wouldn't have one.

I would hope that the SMC are willing to listen and be flexible because a 'Like it or lump it' attitude would have an indirect and negative impact on the club with financial implications for the SMC.

3 friendlies and less than 8000 people total! Been in shed for 40 years and you would think fans would want to support the lads. I fear the worse! We should be getting at least 8000 for first super league game v cas but rumours say less than 5000!
You would at least think people would want to see new ground!
Mind you, club don't help with no signage to ground, only one access road in and out, barely no advertising of games and the local kids not encouraged enough with say family stand, free tkts, etc
We need to fill this baby!
Otherwise we might as well have stayed at willows.
Atmos the other night v Wigan was like a morgue!
Come on solly lot get your fingers out!