Pubs braced for loss of tourist trade in wake of attacks
Pubs are bracing themselves for a sharp downturn in tourism as fears of a sustained terror campaign mount.
Research carried out by the Tourism Industry Response (TIER) group estimated that tourist spend would fall by £300m across the UK as a direct result of the July 7 attacks.
However, that figure can be expected to rise in the wake of the second attempt to bomb the Tube and buses in London on July 21, which saw four potential suicide bombers flee when their devices failed to detonate properly.
James Bidwell, chief executive of Visit London, said: "London is a very resilient city and we can take some comfort from the speed of recovery from July 7.
"However, the incidents on July 21 may have more serious implications and we are monitoring the situation very carefully at the same time as preparing our recovery plans."
Figures from SPSL, which monitors key shopping and leisure destinations, showed numbers visiting central London down by about 20 per cent year-on-year on Friday July 22 and Saturday July 23.
Dr Tim Denison, SPSL director of knowledge management, said: "After the 7/7 attacks we saw confidence return to within 10 per cent of pre-attack levels.
"It seemed likely that London-based shoppers had mentally filed the attacks as a 'one-off', while day trippers and tourists were perhaps more wary. But the attempted attacks on July 21 may reinforce fears."
Alongside falling customer numbers, London pub operators are reviving security policies in place during the IRA terror campaign.
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), which has a number of high profile central London outlets, has urged staff in the capital to be particularly vigilant.
An M&B spokeswoman said: "Our policies were already in place; what we've done is to remind staff of the procedures they need to follow."
Mark Hastings, of the British Beer & Pub Association, said that members had stepped up staff training and vigilance. "Searching is taking place at doors and there are more regular searches to look for bags left on the floor," he said.
A Whitbread spokeswoman said the company has increased security generally, not just in London. "We've asked all our staff to be more vigilant," she said. "As an example, our Premier Travel Inn chain no longer allows guests to leave luggage in advance of occupying rooms."
Pictured: All Bar One, Canary Wharf: M&B is urging its London staff to be vigilant.
