Cabbie Colin has to call it a day
APOPULAR taxi driver who goes the extra mile for the customers with his personal touch has had to call it a day.
Colin Durkin, 74, has been ferrying fares all over Rossendale for 30 years, but has been deemed unable to continue after a council vision test deemed him unable to renew his taxi licence.
Valley born and bred Colin, of Co-Operation Street, Bacup, said he was “heartbroken” at having to suddenly quit the job he loves, but insists he wants to continue driving for a living as he is still safe to get behind a wheel.
Grandad Colin has been working since he was 14 and drove wagons for 21 years before becoming a cabbie. He previously worked at Bacup Taxis, then set up his own firm Britannia Taxis, before selling that and opening Colin’s Cabs.
He explained: “I can still [legally] drive a car or van, but I can’t drive a taxi. It’s stupid really.
“It was upsetting. I only own my own one-car business. At least you can rely on yourself. To get put out straight like that, I was heartbroken.”
Colin, who has been married to Fiona for 33 years and has a daughter and three stepchildren, keeps people entertained on local social media pages with his dainty dancing videos, and has also been a prolific charity fundraiser down the years.
He estimates he has raised £20,000 for good causes through charity auctions.
Despite having been in work for 60 years, he says he has no intention of putting his feet up and retiring.
“I’m hoping somebody will find me a driving job or something,” he said.
“I couldn’t be out of work; I can’t do with sitting at home. I’ve never seen as much telly - all I used to see was the teatime news!”
Colin says he is thankful after receiving a lot of very nice messages from grateful customers he has built up over the years, reflecting the quality as well as the length of his service.
“I have had lots of nice messages,” he said. “My customers have been saying all the best and that they are all upset.
“I was one of those drivers that did everything. Some of them just flick the boot open and the customer has to put the shopping in the boot - that’s not the way I’ve done it. I used to carry the shopping to the doors.
“It’s been a good relationship. I’ve had some nice customers.”
Rafi Mozid, who works at Morrisons and is Colin’s friend, said: “Sadly he has had to stop doing the job he loves dearly due to circumstances out of his control.
“Even though we have been telling him for the past year he should be sat under the sun across the country, he keeps saying he’d rather be working, so we just really wish him luck in finding a new job that he’ll enjoy just like he did with taxis.
“We honestly wish him all the best.”
If anybody needs a driver (excluding a taxi service) Colin can be contacted on 07442 496643.
‘I hope somebody will find me a driving job, I can’t do with sitting at home’