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Tube strikes will mean more losses for London's restaurants and bars

Published:  24 April, 2014

London bars and restaurants face losses as more Tube strikes are lined up, says the British Hospitality Association.

The BHA is "extremely concerned" over proposed strike action, which will see seven nights of closures on the London Underground as well as a 48-hour walkout from Heathrow Express services.

The planned tube strikes are scheduled from April 28 to 30 and May 5 to 8, with the Heathrow Express walkout starting at 3am on April 29.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "The planned industrial action by the London Underground staff covers seven evenings; in effect 2% of the evenings this year when London's restaurants and related businesses, such as theatres, can attract customers.  Even if strikes are cancelled or ineffective, people will still cancel bookings or not make them in the first place.  We hope that the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union and industry chiefs will be able to find a swift resolution which avoids further strike action and which does not impact negatively on tourists and commuters."

The last time strike action was held on the Underground back in February, it had a mixed effect on the hospitality industry, as reported by Harpers.co.uk's sister title Big Hospitality. Some operators said staff and customers stayed away, while others reported an uplift in trade as customers stayed longer in the City.

Xavier Rousset, owner of Texture and 28-50 restaurants, said he lost £10,000 across his four venues, while D&D London said it lost 15-20% of business in two days. 

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