Chelsea Flower Show opens in London as taxi trade prepares for shift from ‘Kipper’ season
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show begins today, Tuesday 20 May, and will run until Saturday 24 May. Held annually on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the event remains one of the most high-profile fixtures in the British calendar.
The show is based in central London, just south of Sloane Square and adjacent to the Chelsea Embankment. It attracts visitors from across the UK and overseas. Each year, around 150,000 people attend over the course of the week, with peak times often putting increased demand on transport, especially black cabs and private hire vehicles.
For the taxi trade, the event also signals a seasonal shift. The Chelsea Flower Show traditionally marks the end of what drivers call the “Kipper season”. This is the quietest period of the year for taxi work, usually running from the end of the New Year period until mid-May. With few events and reduced demand from the general public, many drivers see their earnings dip during this time.
From Chelsea onwards, demand typically rises due to an increase in public events, summer travel and tourism.
As with last year’s arrangements, taxis servicing the Chelsea Flower Show must use Chelsea Embankment for all drop-offs and pick-ups. Shuttle buses will once again pull into the Bull Ring.
From Tuesday through to Friday, the event will open daily at 8am and close at 8pm, except for Friday’s late event which ends at 10pm with reduced attendance.
On Saturday 24 May, the final day of the show, gates open at 8am and close at 5.30pm. A sell-off event starts at 4pm. Taxis are asked to be present from 3.30pm onwards to help manage the increased traffic as attendees leave with plants and goods.
