Mine’s a taxi: nightclub to pay for patrons’ cabs

A CORK nightclub owner is launching a subsidised taxi service tomorrow night to take the stress — and some of the expense — out of getting home.

Colin Ross, the owner of the Liquid Lounge on Cork’s Marlboro Street, said he can guarantee his regulars that a taxi will turn up outside his venue during peak hours on Saturday nights — and he will pay €5 towards the total cost of the fare.

The pilot project, in partnership with Cork Taxi Co-Op, will start at his venue over Clancy’s pub tomorrow night and will run on a trial basis on Saturday nights only for several weeks.

The initiative is designed to take the hassle out of securing a taxi ride home, Mr Ross said.

“I looked at the whole nature of my clientele, and looked at other initiatives, like running a minibus,” he said.

“But I have people coming here from all over the city and it would take an hour-and-a-half to drop people off.

“My customers come to Liquid Lounge for a bit of comfort. This scheme is designed to eliminate the hassle of getting home.”

In the early stages of the scheme, selected clubbers will be offered taxi vouchers. Club staff will then book a taxi to arrive at the club at a time to suit the patron.

Cork Taxi Co-Op will have up to six cabs in the area ready to respond to the calls.

Mr Ross, who is vice chairman of the County Vintners Association, and a member of the advisory board of the Cork City Cares initiative, said customers will be given the taxi sign number for the car coming for them.

He guaranteed the taxi would arrive within 15 minutes.

“Customers can wait inside as long as it’s not after closing time. You will have a voucher valid for that particular night and the roof sign number of the taxi,” he said.

“All I insist upon is that punters be on time. Taxis will not wait. They are not going to sit around waiting for you.”

Meanwhile, the Cork City Cares group, made up of representatives of the city centre publicans, gardaí and city officials, are examining the possibility of introducing a dedicated Nitelink bus.

An announcement is expected within a few weeks.