// London’s West End threatened by a six-month series of weekend Tube strikes
// The West End has already been impacted by the pandemic as office workers stay at home
// RMT union Underground drivers will stop clocking in from 8.30pm each Friday and Saturday night
A six-month series of weekend Tube strikes have threatened to impact the recovery of London’s West End.
The strikes are expected to affect one of the UK’s leading shopping and leisure destinations.
The West End has already been impacted by the pandemic as consumers and commuters have often stayed at home.
READ MORE: West End footfall down 27% on pre-pandemic levels
The planned industrial action means RMT union Underground drivers will stop clocking in from 8.30pm each Friday and Saturday night, until 8am the following morning, until mid-June.
While the dispute is expected to primarily hit the West End’s night-time economy, the weekend disruption will be unwelcome to all businesses in the area.
“The proposed six-month strike action threatens the West End’s night-time economy at a critical point when many businesses will be looking to recover from the impact of the pandemic,” New West End Company chief executive Jace Tyrrell said.
“We strongly encourage RMT to call off these strikes in order to give viable hospitality businesses in the capital the best possible chance of survival.”
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