Shoppers walking along Oxford Street just before Christmas last year
(Picture: REUTERS)Business leaders across central London have hailed the scrapping of all Covid restriction as a huge psychological boost that will enable the capital to finally start recouping the tens of billions of pounds of trade wrecked by the pandemic.
The first weekend since Thursday’s ending of the last remaining rules - including the need to wear masks on public transport or isolate at home after testing positive - is expected to be the busiest in two years.
London was particularly badly hit by the three lockdowns, trading restrictions such as the 10pm curfew, and work from home orders, because of its huge hospitality and retail sectors.
Simon French, chief economist at City brokers Panmure Gordon, said he feared London lost as much as £80 billion of output as the capital was reduced to a desolate ghost town for months at a time.
Jace Tyrrell, chief executive at business group New West End Company, said: “The removal of restrictions is hugely positive for the West End as we look to build safely and sustainably on the encouraging momentum that we’ve seen so far in 2022.
“With the district now projected to reach its historic £10 billion turnover within the next two years, the return of domestic shoppers to our streets will allow us to deliver a high street that goes beyond the pre-pandemic experience, catering to the needs of modern visitors.”
Restaurateurs and hoteliers say the bounce back since the Plan B measures - including official work from home advice - late last month has already been far stronger than expected and will gather momentum through the Spring.
Leonid Shutov, owner of restaurants Bob Bob Ricard in Soho and Bob Bob Ricard City in the Square Mile, said that while the removal of the final curbs would not have a major practical difference “it does make a huge difference in terms of feeling things are getting back to normal”.
He added: “I think within the next three to four weeks we will be back to what we had before Covid, not just in terms of the numbers but also the mix. It’s been a long time since we have had three or four generations sitting at a table to celebrate an event like a birthday because it just didn’t feel safe for the older members of the party.”
Bob Bob City is still open for just five days a week but this is expected to return to seven days within a month as numbners pick up he said.
Simon Thomas, chief executive of the Hippodrome casino on Leicester Square, said: “The West End is officially giving the world notice: we’re back in business to deliver the best London can offer. I’ve talked to many local companies, theatres, restaurants, clubs and pubs, and I’m genuinely excited about how determined everyone is to make this Royal Jubilee year one that’ll go down as the big return of central London.”
David Lockhart, general manager at the Mondrian Shoreditch London hotel, said: “As a hotel which opened in the midst of the pandemic, we are delighted that the final COVID-19 restrictions have been eased.
“Since the announcement we have seen a surge in bookings; domestic reservations are up 55 per cent, bookings from the US are up 35 per cent and our European travellers have increased by 10 per cent, notably from Spain, France and Germany. We are looking forward to a robust Spring and Summer season.”
Ed Devenport, chief executive of Incipio Group, which runs venues such as Pergola on the Wharf at Canary Wharf and Lost in Brixton, said: “We expect that with the last of the restrictions being lifted, this will give the industry another much needed and timely boost. Our business and our team have had to be particularly resilient for the past two years, so to be returning to some form of normality is welcome news indeed.”
Sal Gowili, general manager of The Ritz London, said: “We have experienced healthy reservation numbers across our food and beverage outlets in particular and seen substantial revenue growth year on year in our Michelin-starred and our famous Afternoon Tea, which underpins my firm belief that one of life’s most enjoyable pleasures is to share delicious food and drink around the table in the company of family and friends.”
Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster City Council, said: “This is another milestone moment as the country emerges from the shadow of Covid. The virus is still out there, but it’s great to see clear signs of recovery with visitors returning to the West End, our world-beating theatres playing to full houses and the buzz returning to our busiest areas.”
