News

NTIA Says Businesses Are Suffering up to 40% Loss in Trade Due to Rail Strikes

• 24th Jun 2022

The rail strikes have had a devastating impact on the theatre, live music and hospitality industries still rebuilding from the fall out of the pandemic. Our night time economy relies heavily on the rail network to bring our audiences and staff safely to and from our venues, with 81% of London theatergoers using public transport and a similar proportion of hospitality customers.

We need to work together to get passengers back on the railways and back in our towns and cities enjoying everything they have to offer. This strike is hugely damaging for our sectors and feels counter intuitive when we are facing so many other challenges. We urge all stakeholders to come together to support a recovery that we can all benefit from.’

Michael Kill CEO Says “Our industry is suffering heavily from rising costs, as inflation reaches 9.1%, with most reporting an estimated loss of up to 40% in trade from the national rail strike.”

“Our sector is at a critical point in its recovery, as we embark on one of the most important summer festival seasons.”

“Anger and frustration is growing, as it feels for many like they are being drawn back to business levels experienced during the Covid lockdowns.” 

“Long term strike action, will lead to an irreparable loss of business and jobs, after so much hard work has been put into recovery in the last 12 months.”

Simon Thomas, executive chairman of Leicester Squares’ Hippodrome Casino, said: 
“First Covid, then omicron, now we’ve got the RMT variant. The West End was well on the mend and this strike threatens to push thousands of businesses back into intensive care.”