Dereham Silver Taxis moving its HQ to owner's home

But for Dereham-based Pedro Carvalho this dream came true as he gave lifts to the star actor of films such as Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. 

Mr Carvalho was called up to chauffer John Travolta during his filming of The Shepherd, a short film based on the book by Frederick Forsyth, in Norfolk.

He reflected on his 10-day contract back in 2022 of being the star's driver as he shared news that his family-run taxi service is relocating. 

Silver Taxis, which has an office premises on 16 Market Place in Dereham, is relocating to 14 Honeysuckle Drive, near the hockey club. 

Mr Carvalho co-owns the business with his wife. 

One of Silver Taxis' customers was the Pulp Fiction actor, John Travolta. (Image: Pedro Carvalho)

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The company's new headquarters will be operating from his four-bedroom house. 

Mr Carvalho said: "There is just no business in town, and we have to pay rent for an office when 95pc of our business is done over the phone or online. 

"So it's a strategic move, and I don't want customers to think we've left the town. We're still here," he said.

Silver Taxis began 13 years ago when Mr Carvalho established the business.

He said: "I started on my own. Now we have seven self-employed drivers working with us.

Silver Taxis is moving from its premises on Market Place to Honeysuckle Drive. (Image: Pedro Carvalho)
"Four of my drivers have been here for more than 10 years, and all of them have started their careers in taxi driving for us. So the team we have is very special."

Clients also have the choice of riding in either the company's Mercedes E-Class or the V-Class, depending on the number of passengers.

Pedro Carvalho has operated Silver Taxis for 13 years. (Image: Pedro Carvalho)
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Mr Carvalho said that during his tenure there have been many memorable trips, including one that required him to drop off a customer in the north of France.

"John Travolta was also one of my clients. I remember driving him to a vegan restaurant in Norwich, and then I also dropped him off at the Wetherspoons in Dereham," Mr Carvalho said.

One of Silver Taxis' Mercedes V-Class in front of John Travolta's private jet at Norwich Airport. (Image: Pedro Carvalho)
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At the time, Travolta was filming a short film in Norfolk, at Raynham Hangar Studios in West Raynham, a former airbase.

Mr Carvalho said: "I love this job. I love travelling, and meeting new clients. There have been very few times where a client is not too chatty, but overall our customers are very polite."