London Underground employees will down tools as scheduled strikes take place across the capital between Sunday 7 and Friday 12 September.
The industrial action has been estimated by UKHospitality (UKH) to cost London’s hospitality and tourism businesses £110m.
Last week, figures from the trade body approximated rail strikes had cost hospitality businesses £4bn since they began three years ago.
Heart-breaking disruption
Heath Ball, who runs three pubs in North London, the Red Lion & Sun and the Angel in Highgate and the Wenlock Arms near Hackney, told The Morning Advertiser (The MA) the situation had turned into “a game of who can hold their breath the longest”.
“This feels like just another setback while we’re already down. With the daily challenges we face, enduring four to five days of disruption is both heart-breaking and soul-destroying. I’m dreading the next blow with November’s budget”, he added.
Union members and employees across several rail companies, including London Underground workers, have been staging walkouts since June 2022, amid disputes on pay and working conditions.
On top of cost pressures and decreased footfall, industry leaders have also previously raised concerns around the safety of staff getting home late at night.
Negotiate a solution
UKHospitality (UKH) chair Kate Nicholls said: “This week’s tube strike will have a major impact on London’s hospitality and tourism businesses.
“Consumers will be forced to change or cancel their plans, impacting sales, and many hospitality teams will have difficulty making it to work.
“This level of impact comes at a time when businesses can least afford it, having just been hit with £3.4bn in additional annual cost. It’s crucial that all parties involved get round the table to negotiate a solution that avoids damaging strikes.”
Meanwhile Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill recently told The MA a lack of reliable transport services risks stifling growth and compounding cost pressures for “already squeezed” operators.
