London pubs recover after terror attacks
London pubs suffered a significant two-day drop in trade immediately following the blasts of July 7, according to Fancyapint.com's daily visitor statistics.
The website, which monitors pub consumers, says that visits recovered to normal levels the following week. The alerts of Thursday July 21 had a small effect on the day but trade recovered on the day after, despite the ongoing security concerns.
The website, which lists London pubs, says it saw the impact of the attacks immediately, with about one third less traffic on its website on the day of the attacks.
However, it says the recovery was rapid and by the following week site traffic was back to more or less normal levels.
Fancyapint says its research shows there have been some localised changes to drinking patterns although for every pub losing visitors, there's another gaining new custom elsewhere in central London, as people seek out alternatives.
Steve Watson, director of Fancyapint.com, said: "It appears that the pub trade seems to be carrying on as normal."
Fancyapint.com findings:
- Although site visits have returned to normal levels, page views are down compared to previous months - suggesting a change in behaviour of pub-goers.
- The closure of some tube stations necessitated a change of habits for some people in any case and this is reflected in the searches made on the site.
- Drinkers appear to be choosing fewer pubs in narrower catchment areas - people might be doing more drinking locally.
- Part of this might be down to a significant number of people apparently switching to cars to get to work.
