Was anyone looking in central London yesterday?

[newlabelwriter]

Just trying to see how busy it was? Thanks

Not looking, just in! Not sure where random extra word came from 🙄

Yep, fairly busy but not like it usually would be the sat before xmas.

I love central. It’s been quieter than usual. But busier than Thursday/fri when parts were very quiet. Felt as though a lot were still coming in but nothing like normal. We also had the Parliament square demo so more police activity at times.

Thank you. Really helpful.

This is the new Advent habit for 2021!

Daily threads on how busy London is

I'll post again later, but my observations from yesterday were slightly quieter. From an out-of-towners persoective, it couid still have looked crowded. From mine, it wasn't as busy as I'd expect in the immediate run up the Christmas. Friend in retail was complaining of exceptionally low footfall (zone one, fringes of a major 'destination' shopping area)

Also lots of tube lines disrupted yesterday due to strikes so that may also have affected the number of people who travelled in.

Some restaurants not open or very reduced tables due to staff issues. If I were coming in and wanted more than fast food/sandwich I’d eat early or pop in early to secure table for later whete poss. Good luck !

Why is everyone so obsessed with how busy London is? Are they all planning on visiting?

I'm going my local retail park later. Shall I come back and report on how busy it was and how long the drive through queues for Maccies and Tim Hortons were?

I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed, just thinking of going into town today and wanted to see if it was likely to be hell on Earth. I live in London btw.

Oxford St less busy than it would have been 2 years ago.

Pub and restaurants very quiet.

I'm going my local retail park later. Shall I come back and report on how busy it was and how long the drive through queues for Maccies and Tim Hortons were?

Yes, but put it on the thread where someibe is asking about those areas, not a London one

😂

Ww walked into a pub in 7 dials, no queue and a space to sit.
That says quiet to me

Great, thanks. I have my family here and they’re keen to see the lights. Luckily we also have an overground trainline here so don’t need the tube.

Was in on Friday- unbelievably quiet

Very quiet for London. But of course much busier than a rural area.

As a local - Londoner - friends and I are not using any public transport and have decided to cancel plans of eating out/drinks etc. also wouldn’t want to go shopping in the department stores.

Friend said Oxford Street much quieter than usual.

Portobello Road was very busy though so I avoided it.

@Hormonehelp

Very quiet for London. But of course much busier than a rural area.

As a local - Londoner - friends and I are not using any public transport and have decided to cancel plans of eating out/drinks etc. also wouldn’t want to go shopping in the department stores.

Friend said Oxford Street much quieter than usual.

Portobello Road was very busy though so I avoided it.

Yes avoiding tube is a good idea and luckily doable from where I am in London.

I walked all over the West End Friday early evening and went for dinner and to a pub. Was busyish but nowhere near what it would normally be at this time of year.

Also went to Borough Market Saturday morning - that part of town is dead and even the market wasn't as busy as usual.

The last time I was in central London (beginning of December) I thought it was usual beginning of December busy - DH went home early because the crowds did his head in . Has Omicron scared every body into staying at hone?

Very very crowded in regent and Oxford street, and soho.

@Elfcandoone

Why is everyone so obsessed with how busy London is? Are they all planning on visiting?

I'm going my local retail park later. Shall I come back and report on how busy it was and how long the drive through queues for Maccies and Tim Hortons were?

DH was interested because he’d booked a trip there, after which he needs to get a negative Covid test so he can fly home for Christmas.

As it turns out he did go to London, his dinner with friends was cancelled and his theatre show was cancelled.

Covent garden was heaving?
And soho was v busy (late afternoon until evening).
Restaurant on Covent garden sq was rammed and they were turning loads of people away.
Trafalgar Square was also absolutely rammed even more so because some football team had won and fire works going on the works.

People are naturally interested to see how busy the omicron hot spot is particularly when getting around involved a bus or tube?

I'm not quite as interested in how busy my local town is (tourist hot spot) because I can drive and park and walk easily) oh.. And it's not a raging hot spot.

My dad is a black taxi driver in London, according to him London is dead compared to what he's used to.

He called me yesterday (I live 500 miles away) and said it was sad how quiet this weekend had been (the last weekend before Christmas is usually always booming.)

Lots of cars on the road (edge of congestion zone) today.

Some boroughs have broken up, so wondering if it's the great exodus