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slew of data at this time confirmed London recovering strongly from the pandemic with diners flooding again to restaurants and Tube ridership rebounding ever nearer to pre-pandemic ranges.
However, there was additionally a recent warning that the capital may do even higher if the Government restored tax-free shopping for international tourists .
Latest figures from reserving portal OpenTable confirmed how Londoners are lastly returning to eating early within the week and to weekday lunching. Mondays in May have been notably busy — though boosted by the additional Bank Holiday for the Coronation — with the 1pm time slot nearly 50% busier than in April.
Dinner slots for Mondays at 6pm and 8pm are each 11% busier, whereas bookings for Wednesdays at 8pm are up 18%, Thursdays at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm all 9% increased and Friday at 8pm up 12%.
Robin Chiang, VP of worldwide gross sales and providers, OpenTable, mentioned: “We’ve seen a boost in weekday lunchtime and evening dining across the capital in May month-over-month, suggesting that Londoners are making the most of restaurants as the weather warms up, especially on Bank Holidays.
“As we move into summer, we’re confident that this dining demand will continue as diners can now take advantage of dining alfresco.”
Meanwhile the London Property Alliance (LPA) , which represents builders, landlords and buyers within the City and West End, mentioned London public transport use has seen rebound.
Passenger numbers for the London Underground reached 89% of pre-pandemic ranges within the first three months of 2023, in contrast with simply 69% for the New York subway and 84% for the Hong Kong rail system, although London is behind Paris.
However, evaluation for the primary quarter exhibits air passenger numbers in New York hit 32 million, up 4% on pre-pandemic ranges. In Paris air passenger demand is at 90% of 2019 ranges, with London simply behind at 89% — though Heathrow is barely forward at 95%. Hong Kong, in the meantime, has recovered to simply 43% of pre-Covid figures.
LPA chief financial adviser Alexander Jan mentioned: “Despite an uncertain economic outlook, London continues to rebound strongly following the pandemic.” But he warned: “Tourism is vital to London’s economy and we are seeing an uneven return of international visitors and are now falling behind other global cities.”
