Lido Shorian Begins London Livery Service

Richard LaBrie with his shiny new London Cab

Lido Shorian Richard LaBrie is constantly in motion. Whether riding his bike, walking his and spouse Lisa Kates' two dogs, or working on handyman projects for neighbors, Richard rarely slows down. Restlessness, perhaps. Outgoing and inquisitive, he befriends nearly everyone he meets.  Despite this relentless activity, though, something was missing.

"Being semi-retired just wasn't what I wanted to be," Richard explains. "I am a social person and  I truly enjoy Sarasota and our island life."  Richard says he recently happened across an ad looking for cab drivers/partners in the LongBoat Key Observer. It was looking exclusively for someone who lived on Lido or Longboat Key.  Intrigued, Richard met owner Mike Early, a former attorney who runs a company called London Livery in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He took one look at the London Cab Early had shipped to Sarasota and was sold on the idea. "It fits me like a glove, Richard says.  "It's so cool."

Richard's new pride and joy will be stored for now in his garage on Morningside Drive. The cab was built in the UK, and designed for the American market. The  steering wheel is on the left side. It has a 4-cylinder diesel engine, and maxes out at 45-MPH. So no highway driving or trips to the Tampa Airport.  

But Richard says that's OK with him.  

He plans to stay in town and cater to the LongBoat and Lido Key crowd. "We will take you anywhere downtown, to the Sarasota Airport, to events and parties," Richard says. "We are a private transport service, and all of our services must be pre-arranged. The benefit of this is a prompt and familiar driver."  

And don't let it's exterior size fool you. The London cab seats 3 across it's back bench seat and has two-jump seats... comfortable enough for short trips if needed.

Oriental rug a nice touch

Rates are based on distance from pick up to delivery. For example…a trip from Lido Shores to the airport is $20, from here to downtown $10. There is a three-hour minimum for events at $40 per hour. London Livery is a non-smoking vehicle.

Richard has already been stopped, actually hailed, while just driving around. "A couple from New York stopped me, and before I could explain, they had me driving them downtown," laughs Richard.

Richard says Lido Shores residents can contact him directly for London Cab service at 941-586-1184. For others outside the neighborhood, the number is 941-315-8525. If successful, the Massachusetts based company could soon be adding Sarasota to it's website: www.londonlivery.com.

~BT