‘Couldn’t come at a worse time’: business owners bemoan transport chaos

While London is expected to bear the brunt of the dip in trade caused by the strikes, the effects are likely to be felt across the country

People have written the week off," says Stuart Proctor, the boss of the Stafford hotel in Mayfair, where he says this week's transport strikes have meant tens and thousands of pounds in lost restaurant bookings.

Numerous large parties have cancelled for dinners and lunches," says Proctor, who also oversees the Norma restaurant in Fitzrovia. Hotel bookings are holding up as most are from international visitors who are largely unaffected by the train strikes, but he says walk-in after work trade is likely to be down. People are working from home [during the strikes] now they have got used to it," he said.