The London bombings last week have left the city’s wholesalers feeling as defiant and bullish as the rest of the population.
According to Gary Marshall, chairman of the Covent Garden Market Tenants’ Association, it is still very much business as usual. “This market services London and London has been hit,” said Marshall. “But even with all the disruption, we are still supplying and the bombings have not stopped the delivery and supply network.”
New Covent Garden Market supplies millions of Londoners and visitors daily through fresh produce deliveries to hotels, restaurants and caterers at other institutions as well as independent retail outlets and stall-holders. “In a way it has affected trade as there are fewer people about this week compared to last,” said Marshall. “But whether it will have a long-term effect, we don’t know yet.”
The Covent Garden Market Authority was also wary of forecasting any longer term downturn in trade in terms of cancellations of hotel bookings. A spokeswoman said: “The hotel trade is likely to be hit but that is only one segment of the market’s business. And some of the large institutions and workplaces will not be affected at all. We must also think of the positive impact of the Olympics which will be very big for the market, not just the event itself but all the build up.”
Marshall reported that arrivals to the market have not been disrupted, although central London stall-holders have recorded very quiet days since the attacks. “Trade might be difficult, but this is London and we will bounce back,” he added.
