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Restaurants with empty tables in tourism slump
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard05.08.08
London's best restaurants are the victims of a tourism slump gripping the capital.
The Ivy, usually booked up two months in advance, has tables available tonight.
Anyone wishing to sample tea at the Ritz, which would normally have to be reserved at least six weeks in advance, can get in next week.
Visitors to the Dorchester's Grill, who are advised to book a month ahead, can walk in off the street and secure a table for two.
A report this week by Visit London shows the number of foreign visitors to the capital was down seven per cent in July to December last year, the most recent figures available.
The biggest downturn was in visitors from America - down 160,000 to 2.37 million during last year.
Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality and Restaurant Association, said the impact was being felt by top dining rooms.
"The statistics are hardly surprising considering the current economic situation in America," he said. " Americans usually dominate the top end of the market but with decreasing numbers of them visiting London, we were bound to see a shift."
The Ivy and the Ritz would not comment, but the Dorchester said it was misleading to suggest the lack of bookings was due solely to a tourism slump.
"August sometimes is a little quieter in some of our outlets because local customers go away," said a spokesman. "Our hotel is still running on 97 per cent occupancy."
Richard Harden, co-editor of the Harden's restaurant guides, predicted even tougher times ahead for restaurants. "There will be a bloodbath," he said, adding that a "real shake-out" would happen early next year unless the economy picked up soon.
Terri Paddock of Whatsonstage.com said West End theatres had also seen a decline in bookings. As the Evening Standard reported last week, five leading theatres have temporarily closed. "The theatre is being affected by the economy," said Ms Paddock. " Audiences will always see it as a way to tighten spending."
Bob Oddy of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association said: "August is always flat. Work is down but whether that's due to a reduction in tourists I can't quite put my finger on." He said the real test of the downturn would be whether business picked up next month, traditionally a good time for cabbies.
Visit London chief executive James Bidwell said that while the numbers of Japanese and American visitors were falling, they were being replaced by tourists of other nationalities, particularly Russians, Indians and people from the Middle East.
There was also a steady stream of European visitors to London thanks to the strength of the euro.
Visit London said that despite declining visitor numbers, the amount spent by tourists last year rose 3.4 per cent to £10.4 billion compared with 2006.
Reader views (11)
Year after year, travel and restaurant surveys name London as the most expensive city on earth for eating out. Something's gotta give.
- Mike, Coulsdon, UK
But isn't this what politicians of all the old parties are saying they want (because of bogus environmental claims)? Don't they claim to want fewer people flying (which is why they say they are taxing them out of the air)? You can't cycle from Seattle to visit the UK. And politicians cannot eat their cake and have it. Even if they try.
- Damian Hockney, London, UK
Fraser
I can'tt believe how you can put everything as the blame of Labour Americans aren't travelly because of their problems at home and they have a conservative type government who have screwed up a lot more than Labour seems to have done and I am not trying to defend Labour.
I find it fascinating how so many comments here are so political when the articles have nothing to do with politics.
- Gary Wilson, Victoria, Canada
Jonnie of Brixton - a chef is usually a foul mouthed egocentric who will slap 10gm of warm meat onto 6 carefully chosen rocket leaves and top with some beanshoots. Carefully clean the plate and drizzle a jus and some balsamic vinegar in an artistic pattern and then charge you E30 for the experience. And then you go to Wimpy's for a burger.
A cook will actually cook the whole meal, from soup to dessert and then come out to sit with you and ask how you enjoyed it. And only charge you E40 and you can barely finish the after dinner mint with your coffee!
On a slightly different tack, imagine the down-turn in tourism if the Monarchy is ever abolished! Just hope the heir and the spare get their acts together
- Ian Heritage, Melbourne, Australia
London is known throughout the world as the worst value, the worst service and (STILL!) the worst food in so-called good restaurants.
Many guides advise "Stick to Pret a Manger" or Marks and Spencer sandwiches, and use the money for theatre seats.
There has been a big attempt to pretend that London cuisine is now wonderful....it can sometimes be, but at such a high price that the bill wipes out the pleasure.
- Sidney Marks, London, UK
How many restaurants will go to "under" this time around thanks to ALL of New Labour's fabulous policies?
- Fraser, Telford Park
Well, what I say is, you've got to adapt to the times. I had a hard time a year ago when The Ivy had profit indigestion, but now it's different. Nothing in my restaurant is more than a £ a dish. (Euro 1.25). We offer Empty Pie. Courgettes a la Nothing, Vin sans Coq, Tarte Tatty, Bread Pudding (our specialise de la maison), Escalope de Flour, and Ricore or Tea Grouts. Our wine of the house is Beaujolais Nouveau (any year you like). We are booked solid for two months and don't kid yourself there'll be a cancellation.
- John Problem, Hackney Wick, London, UK
Cut the prices. That's all that the restaurants have to do. It is too expensive for most people to eat in the West End now.
- Mike Kendall, London
Um, er,would they consider lowering the prices on the menu's..or are they waiting for the economy to pick up?...18 months is a long time to wait. They obviously want to keep the 'wrong type' away and will not lower their high standards...stop laughing. Food is serious and when someone tells me the difference between a cook or a chef I will spend my weeks wages at any of the fine establishments who are suffering.
- Jonnie Of Brixton, london
We booked the Ivy on the spur of the moment just before going to see The Mousetrap (which is opposite it) and secured a post-theatre table. I was very surprised. But it was full when we got there. However the foods is very average which may be the real reason it's easy to get in...
- Jessica, london
Is it any wonder. They now have to compete with pubs that have turned into restaurants in order to survive. Additionally, most of these places suffer from cheap makeovers, to make them more "contemporary", succeeding only in ruining their atmosphere and uniqueness. I am so bored with the spotlights and chrome furniture look with uncomfortable chairs and over priced menus. Customer service is the key, not tacky modern decor.
- Joe, London
