Hospitality businesses are set to be bruised further by upcoming tube strikes which could cost them £160mln in sales.
A forecast from the trade association UKHospitality, provided to the Evening Standard, predicted the losses after more tube strikes were announced between 23 and 28 July.
The latest London Underground is being taken due to changes to working conditions, which coincides with the start of the busy summer period, according to UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls.
“Not only will the sector lose millions, but consumers will have their plans interrupted and workers will struggle to get to work,” she added.
Nicholls urged on the Government, rail companies and unions to reach an agreement and avoid further damage to a sector already weighed down by rail action.
Former Dragons’ Den judge Sarah Willingham, boss at AIM-listed Nightcap, said that: “By a long mile the train and tube strikes are the thing that is impacting business in London more than anything else.”
“Surely after all we have been through wise heads should reconcile their differences,” said Clive Watson, City Pub Group chairman.