Pictured: (l-r) TOA Sales Manager Ashraf Hussian, Birmingham
City Council Leader Mike Whitby (Holding Plaque), Former Lady
Mayoress of Birmingham Freda Cocks (OBE) & TOA Secretary Brian
Lee
Birmingham's oldest Taxi firm TOA Taxis have just celebrated 50
years in business. Formed in 1961 the Taxi Owners Association
started with around 25 cabs but now boasts a whopping 400 cabs that
cover the whole of Birmingham.
Celebrating with them was 96 year old, former Lady Mayoress of
Birmingham, Freda Cocks (OBE) who originally declared TOA's head
office in Harborne open back in 1978 (then the Mayoress of
Birmingham) with the unveiling of a plaque. 33 years on and Freda
unveiled a new plaque at the Golden Anniversary celebrations to
re-honour TOA Taxis achievement and mark 50 years of trading.
Birmingham City Council Leader, Mike Whitby, also attended and
presented TOA with a plaque of achievement on behalf of the
Birmingham City Council, whilst local Conservative MP, John Alden,
also joined the list of VIP attendees.
TOA's head office was turned into a plush party venue with no
expense spared in the celebrations of this remarkable business
achievement. A beautiful marquee was erected in the rear car park
accompanied with champagne, wine, delicious food and a bright gold
TOA Taxi cake. Guest also enjoyed a vintage FX4 model taxi from the
1950's which was on display and a rare behind the scenes look at
how TOA Taxis operate. Around 120 guest in total attended, which
was made up of VIP's, staff, retired staff, friends, family and
press.