Taxi Driver Online

A TAXI driver has launched a nightlife website to help revive South Tyneside's pub and clubland tradition.
Daryn Saxon, 42, says he created South Shields Nightlife because he feels business is dying off in the town centre, and that is having a domino effect on taxi drivers.

The self-employed driver, from Westmorland Road, Marsden, held talks with club owners before setting up the site – which promotes the area as well as providing bands a place to advertise their gigs for free.

Mr Saxon said: "We've had more than 5,000 hits on the site so far, which is great news.

"A few years back there were loads of people out and about. There were queues outside of all the bars. But now you look up the street and there's no one there. It's in need of a boost."

He added: "We need to see more people in the area, and I'm hoping that pubs and clubs will come on board to help do this."

Mr Saxon, who launched the site four months ago, has also dedicated a page to popular bars of the past such as Oz and WR's.

He said: "I was just sitting with some friends and we were talking about the old South Shields when bars like the Chelsea Cat were around.

"It got me thinking that it would be great to get people talking about these bars on the site."

"It was places like this that made a real name for the town. I'm even hoping to hold a Chelsea Cat reunion night soon."

Mr Saxon hopes that the website will encourage more people to stay in South Shields to enjoy a night out.

John Shaw, marketing director for Actual Leisure – which owns a number of pubs and clubs in South Shields, said: "This is a fantastic idea and it's great that someone local has a passion for wanting to do something to help the area."

Tracey Dixon, councillor for Whitburn and Marsden, said: "This is a fantastic initiative.

"As a borough, we are always looking at ways to promote the area and drive business. The Chelsea Cat and Oz were clubs in my era, and I'll certainly be taking a look at the website which I'm sure will bring many memories."

Log on to South Shields Nightlife on www.southshieldsnightlife.co.uk.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Note to self, I mustn't refer to Carlisle's nightlife as a sh*tholed cesspit to passengers and remain positive about out night time economy.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Don't know why everyone else does.

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