TRADERS in Wanstead and Woodford say fears over transport during the Olympics have kept people away from local shops.
The main shopping streets of the borough are draped in Olympic banners, but according to Tim Smith, 38, who owns George Lane cafe Creative Biscuit, visitors to the Games are not venturing far from the official venues.
He said: “I think a lot of people are paranoid about the transport.
“We had the daughters of the American water polo team’s manager in, but they are the only tourists we have seen.
“We get a lot of trade from commuters going to and from South Woodford station, but I think a lot of people are choosing to work from home because of all the transport warnings and we have had a definite drop off.”
Some traders on Wanstead High Street also say that far from getting a bounce in trade from the Olympics, things are quieter than normal.
Dill Puneet, 44, owns The Art Shop on Wanstead High Street.
He said: “Last Sunday was the worst we have had in 10 years and I know a lot of the businesses along here are saying the same.
“There are no tourists really and a lot of my regular customers booked holidays deliberately to coincide with the Games.
“I think all the notices from TfL about not travelling unless you absolutely need to have kept people from driving or taking the tube.”
One man who has done well from the Olympics is Igor Bekaert who runs cafe chain Belgique which has a branch in Cambridge Park, Wanstead.
He said: “We have been supplying Belgian House in central London with food and beer and I have been working 18 hour days to meet demand, so it’s been good for us.
“But, yes, it is definitely quieter in Wanstead, and we are around three per cent under budget for July.
“I think local people are staying in to watch the Olympics on TV.
“It’s a shame there wasn’t more like the street parties we had for the Jubilee or big screens to draw them out.
“I also think there has been a little too much scaremongering from TfL about how hectic the public transport system and the roads would be.”
Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Twitter
Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here