Hospitality businesses face a £160 million sales hit from a upcoming week of tube strikes it has been predicted, adding further headaches to firms that have already suffered as “collateral damage” due to industrial action.
The forecast comes after it emerged on Monday that more London Underground drivers would take strike action over factors such as changes to working conditions, adding to already announced walk-outs.
Trade association UKHospitality gave the Evening Standard the forecast for days when rolling tube strikes take place between July 23 to 28.
Chief executive Kate Nicholls said the latest action comes at the start of the busy summer period, as schools break up and tourists embark on holidays to the capital.
She added: “Not only will the sector lose millions, but consumers will have their plans interrupted and workers will struggle to get to work.”
She said firms are set to experience lost sales to the tune of £160 million later this month. Nicholls urged the Government, rail companies and unions to come together to reach an agreement that avoids further damage.
Bosses that said their trade will be hurt in central London include Sarah Willingham at AIM-listed bar Nightcap, which owns chains such as The Cocktail Club and has 29 bars across the capital. The former Dragons’ Den judge said: “By a long mile the train and tube strikes are the thing that is impacting businesses in London more than anything else.”
City Pub Group’s Clive Watson said: “We are still healing from the wreckage Covid inflicted on the pub sector- we need a vibrant transport system to get our customers back into London and our staff able to travel to work. Surely after all we have been through wise heads should reconcile their differences.”
Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at lobby group BusinessLDN yesterday said: “The latest round of industrial action will see havoc on London’s economy.”
