Evening Standard Comment: London’s on the up — let’s keep it that way

UK growth will be held back this year by disruption caused by spread of the Omicron variant and the ongoing supply chain crisis, according to the International Monetary Fund (Victoria Jones/PA) (Picture: PA Wire)

The streets may still be quieter than normal, but the green shoots of London’s recovery are very much in view. As Covid restrictions continue to ease, transport passenger figures and office capacity have risen, albeit from a low base.

Restaurants and pubs are bouncing back — Fuller’s, which has been hit hard by work from home guidance, reports sales have recovered to 81 per cent of 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Shoppers are pounding the streets, while even the long-delayed Elizabeth line is on schedule to open by summer.