Pubs offer safe haven in face of the bombers

by Graham Ridout

London's pubs and bars acted as the 'fourth emergency service as they offered comfort to people traumatised by the four bombs that rocked the capital last Thursday.

James Kowszun, chief executive of Hartford Group, praised the efforts of his staff as they coped with the worst act of terrorism to hit London. 'All my staff were heroes their strength and resolve amazed me. They decided to do what they could to help people.

Hartford's Jamies bars issued free tea, coffee and water to those stunned by the blasts. Five of the pubco's bars were evacuated at various times during the day, either in response to the bombs or security alerts.

Kowszun said: 'After checking everyone was OK, we decided to open up for business. It wasn't about making money, it was to show that we would not be deterred.

Chris Pollitt, deputy manager of Jamies bar in Bishopsgate near to the Aldgate bomb, said about 70 people helped themselves to the free tea, coffee or water. Despite only two staff being able to get to work on the Thursday, the bar soldiered on and Pollitt reckoned the 80-cover dining area was 'turned between two and three times during lunch. Up to 250 people congregated in the evening. 'It was a pretty sombre mood, said Pollitt, 'and many came in for a drink and to watch the big screen for information on how they could get home.

He added: 'The thing I noticed was people were more respectful than normal and being nice to one another. I think they appreciated the fact that we were open when many other places weren't and they left a lot in tips to show their appreciation.

Pollitt said the bar's core trading period was at lunchtimes, but 70% of the following day's bookings were cancelled. 'Friday was a drinking day as people took in all that had happened the previous day.

Pollitt thought the bombs would have no lasting effect on trade. 'Knowing the City boys, they won't let the bombs affect them.

At Mabel's Tavern, a real-ale pub a few hundred yards from the King's Cross blast, undermanager Tom Milne said: 'Everyone was in a daze not knowing what was happening. In the evening, they just wanted to meet and talk with people.

Trade on the Friday was, said Milne, 'very quiet. He added: 'Normally we do lots of food at lunchtime, but on Friday they were just having a sandwich or not bothering. People are still missing and they (customers) are still in a state of shock wondering whether people they know are unaccounted for.

Milne reckoned trade was about one-third of a normal Friday, but commented: 'Most of our trade is from office workers and they seem determined not to let the events interfere with their normal life. We will carry on, but it might take time to get back to a sense of normality.

The police have already taken away the pub's CCTV camera recordings for analysis.

Over on Edgware Road, two pubs near the exits of the underground station could not have more contrasting fortunes.

The Green Man on Edgware Road was evacuated shortly after the 9.17am explosion, but licensee Jeff Ruzgar was given the go-ahead to return and re-opened at 4pm.

He remarked: 'We were slightly busier than usual. We are more of a regulars' pub and more people seemed to come in to see if everyone was OK. We had the TV on and everyone was watching the news. It was quite a sombre atmosphere.

'Friday was a lot quieter and I would say trade was 50% down over the two days. The way it is going at the moment, I think a lot of people are just heading off home after work and it will be at least a week before we return to normal that is if we can return to normality after what has happened.

For Alison McGrath, licensee of the Chapel, just around the corner from the Green Man, the events of last Thursday have turned into a nightmare. The pub was immediately closed on police orders and is now part of a crime scene investigation.

McGrath has been given no indication when the Punch outlet might re-open. She said: 'I've tried to get an answer, but the police obviously have other more important things on their mind. She feared the pub could be closed for at least one week.

Speaking to the Morning Advertiser on Friday, McGrath said: 'We have lost takings of £5,000 and that is just for today. How much we will lose is anyone's guess. And because it is an act of terrorism, we are not covered by insurance.

McGrath said Punch had been in-touch over the enforced closure and she hoped some agreement could be reached over rent relief.