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Original poster

How busy is London right now?

123 replies

Flowerpower23 · 15/12/2021 17:45

Me and dd going for her birthday next week to see frozen/do Hyde park etc. How busy is it currently (if you live there or have been in the center recently)? I don’t think it will be locked down or I hope not anyhow!

OP posts:
murasaki · 16/12/2021 10:18

The show maybe cancelled, several were pulled at short notice last night. My sister arrived to work at one and was sent straight home. At least she got paid due to the short notice.

Original poster
Flowerpower23 · 16/12/2021 10:21

I was reading an article about this yesterday and worrying, I really hope that doesn’t happen as it’s her bday treat. We are meeting family from Oxfordshire one evening though so it wouldn’t be an entirely wasted trip if that does happen.

OP posts:
coronafiona · 16/12/2021 10:21

Hideously busy two weeks ago

murasaki · 16/12/2021 10:25

She was on matilda. She said lion King and cinderella also were cancelled.

HeronLanyon · 16/12/2021 10:29

I live very central. Can report it is busy BUT I’ve had a few reservations cancelled due to staff problems - Covid. Also have seen return of outside seating taking precedence/heaters/outside tables being booked first etc. Last night was in fact quieter than expected as I popped out to shops.

Comefromaway · 16/12/2021 10:33

@murasaki

She was on matilda. She said lion King and cinderella also were cancelled.
Lots more cancelled too. Dd works at one of them. It's probably easier at this moment in time to say which shows are still on, as of last night pretty much only Frozen, Pretty Woman, Wicked & Moulin Rouge (after they'd been closed several days) are on at the moment (plus some of the plays.)

Dd was in central London last night. She said it's a strange mix of really busy in some streets, then deserted in others.

Comefromaway · 16/12/2021 10:35

Please prepare your dd for the possibility a show might be cancelled at the very last minute, even after you have taken your seats in some cases. Dd said it's heartbreaking telling little children the show they have so looked forward to will not be going ahead.

I really hope that you get to see the show though.

Comefromaway · 16/12/2021 10:37

@murasaki

The show maybe cancelled, several were pulled at short notice last night. My sister arrived to work at one and was sent straight home. At least she got paid due to the short notice.
Dd got paid for Tuesday (she was diverted to another venue) and wasn't rotaed for last night but things are very uncertain for this next week. She's been told she is off now until Tuesday.
ShakesFist · 16/12/2021 10:42

I was out on Monday night and whilst some restaurants were ok, others were v v quiet. I walked through Covent Garden and it was lovely but it was definitely nowhere near as busy as you'd expect it to be at this time of year.

Smileyoriley · 16/12/2021 10:48

I was in London yesterday and thought the West End seemed very quiet. Also lots of people on the bus and tube without masks. As an ex-Londoner it pains me to say I won’t be back any time soon.

Username7521 · 16/12/2021 11:00

Portobello road is quieter than usual yesterday. I did get to basically walk into Ottolenghi which was nice. I only treat myself when I don't need to queue

MsMartini · 16/12/2021 11:04

Definite change over last few days. Locally (South London), the only places that seem busy are vaccine centres or where word has got out they have lfds. I had an outside coffee yesterday, cafe was deserted indoors.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 16/12/2021 11:05

Fab to hear it's been packed. We're off for a family 2 day trip this Sunday. Can't wait!!

Thewiseoneincognito · 16/12/2021 11:12

The last rush before the stealth lockdown strikes. Expect it to get quieter over the coming days. My local town has seen a massive drop in footfall and traffic this last few days.

My advice if you have plans is to cancel them. You’re only risking being sick over Xmas.

Thewiseoneincognito · 16/12/2021 11:15

The London is packed and busy posters on here seem a little bit disingenuous, perhaps to convince others all is well…when it’s clearly not.

Comefromaway · 16/12/2021 11:17

London was rammed two weeks ago, even a week ago. It's starting to be very different now.

Touristy/shops are very busy eg places like Fortnum & Mason but people are cancelling christmas parties. theatreland is getting far less busy as shows are closing.

Loudestcat14 · 16/12/2021 11:23

I live in London and as much as I want to encourage the support of businesses, I wouldn't visit right now. Yes, it's still lovely and Christmassy but cases are spiralling – where I live they've doubled in just a couple of days. Omicron is the dominant variant now and if you get it, your Dec 25th is buggered, not to mention you'll be taking it back to where you live. I struggle to see why anyone would think it's worth the risk right now.

WheelieBinPrincess · 16/12/2021 11:26

@Thewiseoneincognito

Wow that’s….great advice Hmm

TheReluctantPhoenix · 16/12/2021 11:31

I live in SW London.

It is quite busy, but cases also exploding. I suspect that one in 50 (at least) has COVID right now, and many are taking the attitude of not testing and pushing on through.

Unless you are looking to get your COVID over and done with, I really would not recommend it at the moment.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/12/2021 11:32

Seems normal to me

I’d go if I were you - wear a mask but just enjoy yourselves!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/12/2021 11:33

But London is no different to the rest of the U.K. tbh - it’s not even one of the areas in the darkest shade on the map

Hm2020 · 16/12/2021 11:34

I’m in London now on a bus it’s as busy as you’d expect for this Time of year and I’m also going to frozen tomorrow night can’t wait!

DSGR · 16/12/2021 11:34

We’re also going next week, can’t wait!

WheelieBinPrincess · 16/12/2021 11:36

But it’s THE CAPITAL.

We are all running about like rabid zombies up and down Oxford Street waiting to infect the out of towners!

(No self respecting Londonder is anywhere near OS in the run up to Christmas, it’s all tourists, even in ‘normal times’)

natrew · 16/12/2021 11:39

DH is involved in a theatre production. Under normal circumstances they would be performing to full houses every night. This week attendances have dropped to 60-70%. They also have some cast members isolating/ positive and are hoping it doesn't spread. Local bars and restaurants are busy, but nowhere near as rammed as they would expect to be this week. They have also had lots of corporate customers cancel and these generate a lot of income.
London is not quiet, but it is not business as usual either.