One of Leeds' longest serving taxi drivers has retired from SJK due to Covid-19

James 'old man Jim' Crawshaw, 81, started out in 1979 - and has worked at SJK Private Hire in Yeadon for the past 23 years.

Mr Crawshaw will be missed colleagues and customers alike, but safety has had to come first in light of the pandemic.

He said that despite stories of taxi drivers having negative experiences with customers "most people are nice people".

The father-of-three said: "You never hear about the really nice people who would go to the ends of the earth for others - there are lots of people like that in our city."

There were just two private hire firms in Leeds - Telecabs and Streamline - when Mr Crawshaw took up the job.

"It gave you the freedom of doing what you wanted to do," Mr Crawshaw said. "When you needed money you worked and when you didn't you had a day off."

His most famous customer was then former Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home, who was in Leeds for a conference.

"He was one of the nicest men you could wish to meet," said Mr Crawshaw. "You'd have never thought he had been Prime Minister - he was an absolute gentleman."

Mr Crawshaw's worst memories were of the dark days of the 1970s when Peter Sutcliffe subjected Leeds to his reign of terror.

"It was awful what the city went through," he said. "If a woman got in your taxi you watched her get to the door, you didn't just let her get out of the car."

Mr Crawshaw had a brief spell working for a Leeds company which saw him ferrying cash and gold bars to and from Leeds Bradford Airport, but left when he realised it was too dangerous.

He joined SJK 23 years ago but stopped driving for them two years ago, instead helping with other duties.

"Covid made me retire," he added. "Otherwise I'd still be going down and doing one or two things for the company."

Mr Crawshaw, who also used to spend his time coaching at West Park Rugby Club on weekends, said he didn't think the industry had changed all that much, it was more that people had.

"My feeling is we've lost some of the camaraderie," he said. "Everybody used to help each other.

"Leeds has changed dramatically, but the young come and the old go."

He was born on the Gipton Estate but now lives in Holt Park with partner Maureen.

Post-Covid, he is looking forward to visiting his daughter in London, and looking after Maureen.

"I'm just me," Mr Crawshaw added. "My mother had a saying 'it's nice to be nice' and it is nice, isn't it?"

SJK owner Jason Kotchie said: "As the proprietor of SJK I know I speak on behalf of everyone who has worked with Jim in the private hire industry and everyone wishes him all the best in his retirement.

"His character was definitely old school and his stories were definitely worth listening to and still are.

"From all at SJK Private Hire - happy retirement, Jim."

SJK paid tribute to Mr Crawshaw on his last day in November.

They posted on Facebook: "Well the day has eventually arrived for one of our longest serving drivers James Crawshaw and probably one of the longest standing private hire drivers within the Leeds district to take retirement after decades in the private hire industry

"Many of you know James as “old man Jim” and will know he has been with SJK for over 20 years and we are really going to miss this guy who has not only been part of our company but part of your community.

"We know that it wasn’t an easy decision for Jim to make as his life was in the trade and we realise that he will miss you, our customers, as much as you’re going to miss him.

"We all wish Jim the very best on his retirement and to both Maureen and Jim a safe and happy future together.

"Jim, you have definitely been a star

"And still are."

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