Anger at Tube strike grows as smaller businesses suffer

"It's Monday lunchtime, we should be busy with queues but we have just one customer inside."

- ALEX ROSS

Traders in London say they are feeling the brunt of the huge Tube strike this week, as economists forecast the union action could deliver a £230m blow to the capital’s economy, with small businesses hardest hit.

The walkout over pay and conditions by Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) members started on Sunday, but it was yesterday morning when the city felt the impact, with few services operating across the Underground.

It disrupted city workers' morning commute, with many deciding to work from home. Those who made the journey faced longer trips into the heart of the capital on buses, congested bicycle lines or in cars.

Meanwhile, cafes and restaurants in usually busy parts of the city at lunchtime reported huge drops in customers.

Business leaders described the strike as a “heavy blow” to retailers in the city, with the decision to strike “sending out a really poor message to visitors and investors”.

Yesterday lunchtime, Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson issued a statement, demanding that the RMT, which wants a cut in the working week for members, and Transport for London (TfL) resolve the dispute and bring the industrial action to an end.