City pubs suffer as customers avoid demonstrations

Pubs in the City of London have reported a nosedive in trade as a result of protests ahead of the G20 summit but remain unscathed by outbreaks of violence .

It is understood, however, that riot police have been drafted into the City after demonstrators attacked the Royal Bank of Scotland on Threadneedle Street with missiles.

Police have also warned licensees to be on their guard.

Sunnil Panjabi from the Punch Tavern on Fleet Street said: "It has been really quiet but police have warned us to be very careful.

"So we are open and we are trading but we are keeping an eye on the doors to make sure nothing mad happens."

He added lunchtime covers had fallen from a daily average of 60 to around 25 as workers kept away.

"It is much quieter than it would normally be. A lot people are staying in their offices and all of the booked client meetings have been cancelled."

Robert Dora, owner of the Bull in Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street, said the pub's average lunchtime covers of 50 had been down by more than half.

He added the police had encouraged the pub to take strong precautions against potentially violent demonstrations.

"The police told us to board the windows but we didn't think it was a necessary measure."

Catherine Rolfe from the Shooting Star, also in Bishopsgate, said lunchtime trade was down by more than 75 per cent.

"We have hardly any customers because all the roads are blocked off and nobody can get into the Bishopsgate area. We normally have about 80 people at lunchtime and today we have had only around 18."