Hansom Cab Back In Hinckley

The Hansom Cab has returned home to Hinckley, the place of its birth over 180 years ago.

The Hansom Cab has returned home to Hinckley, the place of its birth over 180 years ago.

The historic cab was delivered by its restorer, Adrian Lander of Rushmere Farm Carriages, who has been looking after the cab for three years and spent eight months restoring the cab to its original condition. 

Atkins staff had to remove its large external doors in order to accommodate the nine foot famous cab. Now safely installed in the Atkins Gallery, it will be moved to a permanent home in the Hinckley Museum for future years to come. 

The Hansom Cab, dubbed the “gondola of London” by Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, was developed, tested and patented in the town by Yorkshireman Joseph Hansom in 1834. It went on to become one of the most popular forms of transport during the 1900s.

Council Leader Mike Hall said: “It is great to be able to bring the restored Hansom Cab back to its rightful place in Hinckley. I hope many people will get to see it and to appreciate the importance of the cab, not just in our local history, but the role that it played in providing modern transport in Victorian times in countries around the world.”

Local historian and vice-chairman of Hinckley and District Museum, Greg Drozdz said: "This is a red letter day for the town. The restored cab is the finest example of its kind and now it is going to be available in due course for people to see. The ultimate aim is to have it as a showpiece at an extended museum. I am sure Joseph Hansom would have felt pride that Hinckley, his temporary but important home, was recognising his public contribution in this way.”