London today

[EmeraldRoulette]

This may seem a dumb question, but does anyone know why London was so busy today?

I normally have to go in twice a month to see clients and I usually choose a Monday or a Friday because they're less busy.

I haven't been in on a Friday since August

this was not a normal Friday. It was absolutely heaving. did something happen to my quiet Fridays? I may need to have a rethink. I know it's half term for some schools, but I can't see why that would push people into the office. Even going from one office to the other, across London at about 1 pm, was really busy.

Thanks, if anyone knows!

Half term plus last Friday of the month so lots of people would gave been paid?

Plus weather yesterday (though I thought it was okay) - I expect people might have delayed plans to today. Especially with kids.

@Blarn I would've thought that half term would make people more likely to take the day off. Also, if they're not normally on in on a Friday, why would they pick this one?

@IggysPop it wasn't parents and kids. It was office workers.

I'm wondering if there's a big push to go back to the office happening.

I'm genuinely surprised. As a veteran commuter, and someone who left London and hates going in, this is the sort of thing that bugs me. I like to plan my meetings very carefully around when it's less busy 😂

It’s often busy on the days before school holidays, for some reason.

I wonder if it’s parents trying to make their in-office requirements so they don’t have to go in so much over half term.

A lot of employers are getting their employees back in the office I think, rather than WFH.

Fridays and Mondays seem to be very popular with those who like to WFH.

You’re wondering if there is a big push for people to go back to the office? Have you missed the last 6-months and longer?

@Algen that makes sense. I'll make a note to avoid those Fridays.

@LondonPapa kind of yeah. The two companies I work with I have been doing homeworking for a long time pre lockdowns and I no longer pay attention to the City as a whole. I kind of live in a bubble really.

that said, we were talking about the new plans for big offices at Liverpool Street station and we were all quite puzzled as to how there could be demand for them. And they do seem to be a lot of office blocks that are practically empty.

Are lots of people getting back to the office full time? A few big firms is one thing, but today looked like a big change since the last Friday I went in.

Some of our local schools had inset days today too, so half-term started early for some families.

Lots of people have to be in a set number of days. Combination of yesterday's weather and chaos on the southern part of the Northern Line in the earlier part of the week will have meant lots of people needing to catch up.

We have rail replacement buses around Guildford to London for the next 2 weeks tomorrow so we went in today on the train for a birthday thing when we would have gone Saturday. Could be that as well? Not sure but I thought it was really busy but I don’t go in that often so wasn’t sure if it was unusual

I wonder if it’s parents trying to make their in-office requirements so they don’t have to go in so much over half term.

This is a big factor imo

It's payday for some too

Are lots of people getting back to the office full time? A few big firms is one thing, but today looked like a big change since the last Friday I went in.

DHs law firm are moving to smaller offices which I think is a common pattern.

@Flibbertyfloo oh that's a good point

@jputthekettleon sounds like a pain for everyone.

Yeah, maybe I've just hit a particularly problematic Friday. I've generally found that Mondays and Fridays are so much better than any of the mid weekdays.

thanks folks.