Investigation: Stratford pubs feel the pinch from Westfield opening

As part of an investigation into how pubs in the London area are preparing for next year’s Olympic Games, the PMA team uncovered some worrying figures from local licensees.

Westfield opened its doors to the public on 13 September and along with hundreds of retail outlets, it also offers visitors an array of restaurants, cafes and pubs, including Geronimo site, The Cow.

However, whilst licensees have generally welcomed Westfield as “something the area needed”, the effect it has had on their own trade appears to have been less than welcoming.

Janet Dooner, who runs the Railway Tavern on Angel Lane, around the corner from Westfield’s main entrance at Stratford train station, told the PMA she had witnessed a 40% downturn since September.

“It (Westfield) has impacted on us and it has impacted on all the local publicans in the area as well. I run the pubwatch here and we were talking about it at our meeting last week and since the 13 September when it opened the local pubs around here have been affected.

"Westfield is good for the area, you can’t knock it. The area needed something and perhaps it will all work out in the end, but people just feel a little bit peeved at the moment because it has affected them that much."

Kendall Cordes, owner of the King Edward VII on Broadway, also welcomed Westfield initially but has noticed a significant drop trade at his pub, particularly at lunchtime.

“Unfortunately what has happened is that the council has forgotten about this side of Stratford. It is a shame but this is what happens when you open this kind of thing,” said Cordes.

“To be honest I did welcome Westfield because I thought it would bring more people to the area but it doesn’t bring people to this side of Stratford.

“I personally believe our custom will never come back again. We could see it the day after it opened - lunch time just went down the pan. Fridays are particularly quiet and we used to be very busy then.

“The Olympics will bring people in but I think Stratford will turn into a ghost town after that.”

Nevertheless, one licensee is remaining optimistic about trade at his pub in 2012 and beyond, despite witnessing a 70% drop in sales since August.

Paul McGilloway, manager of the Langthorne, on Broadway, said: “Before Westfield opened we were absolutely packed all day every day, but since it has opened we have had a downturn.

“But we are still up 20% on last year and are doing just as well at weekends as the shoppers are coming in. Before (Westfield opened) Stratford wasn’t a destination for people but this gets more people into the area.”

McGilloway added: ‘I am looking forward to the Olympics. There are going to be millions of people here and it will have a massive impact.”