Stratford pubs report post-Olympics trade boost

By Adam Pescod

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Westfield stratford city Olympic games 2012 summer olympics Paralympic games

The Railway Tavern in Stratford saw a 40% trade boost during the Olympics, but business has slowed down again since
The Railway Tavern in Stratford saw a 40% trade boost during the Olympics, but business has slowed down again since
The Olympic Games will have a positive long-term impact on pubs in Stratford, east London, where trading figures are higher than they were a year ago. That is the feeling of licensees who were visited by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser as part of its coverage of the Games this summer.

While trade at the outlets, which are in the vicinity of the Olympic Park, isn’t as high as it was during the Olympics and Paralympics, there is an overwhelming sense that Stratford will see more visitors in the future.

“It has gone quieter again but I know we are still up on this time last year,” said Craig Pritchard, assistant manager of the Goose.

“I wouldn’t say that is necessarily down to the Olympics, but it has helped us plan how to handle a busy pub, so we can do more entertainment.

“We are also seeing people during the week who were coming in at the weekends during the Games.”

The Goose saw a 50% upturn in trade during the first week of the Olympics.

Jim Wilson, head brewer at Tap East at the Westfield Stratford City complex, hailed the Olympics as a success and said development plans for the area should continue to boost trade.

“There is going to be so much here in the next few years — they are building accommodation and flats, so there’ll be a new community.

“I think a lot of people avoided Westfield during the Games but we are certainly seeing customers returning who had visited us.”

But Janet Dooner, of the Railway Tavern in Stratford, isn’t convinced the Olympics has had the knock-on effect many businesses wanted.

“All the hype and the buzz has gone,” said Dooner, who had a 40% trade uplift during the Games.

“Some of the small businesses in Stratford were very disappointed with the Olympics because most people were just herded through Westfield (to get to the Olympic Park).”

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