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City of London

London’s Restaurants Are Emptiest Since Omicron Due to Strikes

  • King’s Cross bar says its takings are down 70% this week
  • Industrial action on trains has kept City workers at home
A closed Pasty Shop during a nationwide rail strike, at London Euston railway station on Dec. 13.

A closed Pasty Shop during a nationwide rail strike, at London Euston railway station on Dec. 13.

Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

London’s pubs and restaurants that survived Covid and the widespread adoption of working-from-home are now facing another threat — persistent train strikes.

Restaurant seatings on the first day of rail strikes this week collapsed to levels not seen since omicron, when face masks were mandatory on public transport and the government was telling people to avoid the office.