Restaurants send urgent message as train strikes spark chaos

The capital is facing travel chaos this week due to strikes (Image: Getty)

London restaurants have made a desperate plea to customers during the Tube strikes this week. Hospitality bosses have asked customers to cancel their bookings if travel plans change to give them a "fighting chance".

They have warned that the capital's hospitality sector could lose tens of millions of pounds amid the disruption caused by the walkout. Senior director at restaurant booking service OpenTable, Sasha Shaker, has asked Londoners to cancel any bookings so empty tables can potentially be refilled. She said: "No-shows and late cancellations can be detrimental for restaurants, which are already operating on razor-thin margins and battling increasing operating costs."

She added: "We always encourage diners to cancel as soon as possible if they can't make it - that small action gives restaurants a fighting chance to fill those seats, especially when they are up against wider issues like transit disruptions."

Tube drivers are striking for 24 hours from midday today, April 21, until midday on Wednesday, April 22. This will happen again from midday on Thursday, April 23, until 12pm the following day.

The strikes are in opposition to Transport for London's (TfL) plan to impose a condensed four-day work week. The authority wants to change the current rota system of 36 hours across five days to 35 across four, but the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) claims this will lead to fatigue and compromise safety.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said this week's action will have a huge impact on the hospitality industry.

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She said: "In a typical week, London's pubs generate approximately £80 million in GVA (gross added value) between Tuesday and Friday alone. This doesn't just boost the economy but represents the jobs, high streets, and community spirit that revolve around pubs," reports MyLondon.

"At a time when so many locals are already operating on a knife edge because of huge costs, significant disruption to trade will be acutely felt.

"It's vital that that overall cost of doing business comes down, which is why we're working with Government on ways to support the pub, including permanent business rates reform, a cut in beer duty and VAT, and a reduction of the regulatory burden."