How Olympic organisers can get shot of the West End ghost town August 1, 2012 WE’VE scared them off. Somewhere between Boris Johnson’s ominous ode to overcrowding, and TfL’s weird posters of diligent Londoners in their underwear, planning routes to work, the city’s attempts to keep moving during the Games have frightened droves of tourists into barely venturing out of the confines of the Olympic Park. If organisers don’t act [...]
As London firms report low visitor numbers, is hope for an Olympic business boost dead? July 31, 2012 YES Nica Burns So London has a big hit – the Olympics. A brilliant show, with a cast of outstanding performers – drama, fulfilled and shattered dreams, laughter and tears. It’s a once in a lifetime and we’re riveted. We’re either going to see the events, or we’re watching them on a screen. We’ve listened [...]
CITY VIEWS | WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE OLYMPICS SO FAR? July 30, 2012 JOHN JONES CLARKSONS The energy and organisation exceeded expectations and it was a shame that I missed out on tickets, especially considering the rows of empty seats during the weekend coverage. TIM DAVIS CALYPSO I thought it was a decent and positive opening weekend having seen the men’s cycling road race. It seems like business [...]
TfL: Steer clear of London Bridge July 30, 2012 Commuters should avoid London Bridge station today, Transport for London has warned. Up to 50,000 spectators are expected to use the station on their way to equestrian events at Greenwich Park, making the area extremely busy throughout the day, and platforms one to six for National Rail services to Kent will be exit-only between 6pm [...]
All hail this techie who is a boost to black cabs July 29, 2012 FOR anyone who has waited on the pavement, praying that the next car to turn the corner is a black cab, Hailo could prove a godsend. Founded in 2010, Jay Bregman’s business lets you hail a black cab through your mobile phone. The app is free to download and the service is free to the [...]
London Olympics 2012: Now is the time for sport to take centre stage July 26, 2012 WHAT persuades a normally rational person to part with hard-earned cash to watch Turkey play Angola in the preliminary stages of a women’s basketball tournament? With apologies to the female basketball players of said countries, and the otherwise right-thinking friend of mine in question, it can only be the excitement of a home Olympics. It’s [...]
Is the Prime Minister right to predict that the Olympic Games will boost the UK economy? July 26, 2012 YES John Longworth The London 2012 Olympics is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Britain and make it clear to visitors and spectators from across the globe that we are ready to trade with the world. We believe the Olympics will provide a timely confidence boost for businesses, particularly in the retail, hospitality [...]
FOCUS ON: NOTTING HILL July 26, 2012 NEED TO KNOW | AREA INSIGHT TRAVEL AND EDUCATION Located in the heart of West London, Notting Hill is among the most desired areas to live in the world. It is served by a wealth of transport links, with the central line from Notting Hill Gate taking just 16 minutes to get into the City. [...]
CITY VIEWS | DO YOU THINK THE OLYMPICS WILL BE A BOOST TO THE ECONOMY? July 19, 2012 ALEX TROTT ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT I think it mainly will affect the retail sector, because of the amount of people coming into the area. I agree that London will attract more attention than usual. It’s a big player in the world. JOE CHICK SEB KEY ASSET MANAGEMENT I doubt there will be a profit overall, [...]
Most Londoners still clueless about plans for Olympic traffic July 18, 2012 THE VAST majority of Londoners are still in the dark over how their routes around the City will be affected during the Olympics, according to research released today. Seventy-one per cent of Londoners asked said they did not know when Olympic road restrictions would start and finish, while 73 per cent were clueless as to [...]