Hospitality sales in City down by half on pre-pandemic during strikes and snow

Industry body says industrial action and weather led to cancellation rate of 30% across UK last week

Sales at pubs, bars and restaurants in the City of London last week were almost half of pre-pandemic levels, as rail strikes and wintry weather caused a string of bookings to be cancelled.

The financial district was the worst affected part of London, with sales down 46% in the week beginning 12 December compared with the same period in 2019, according to the sector's trade body, UKHospitality.