- 'Normal' visitors are staying away from London this summer because of concerns over congestion
- Hotels have slashed prices to as little as 10 a night weekend after Games ends
By Graham Smith
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Tourism bosses fear London will be left deserted in the weeks immediately following the Olympic Games.
The influx of athletes and spectators during the Games, which run from July 28 to August 12, is expected to push the capital's infrastructure to near breaking point.
But 'normal' visitors are staying away from London this summer because of concerns over congestion.
This has resulted in hotels slashing their prices to as little as 10 a night the weekend after the Olympic party comes to a close.
Ghost town: Tourism bosses fear London will be left deserted in the weeks immediately following the Olympic Games
One hotel adjacent to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, is offering a 39 rate for a family of four on Friday August 17, reports the Independent.
The hotel, a new-build Premier Inn, is charging 199 per night during the Olympics.
But while it is to be expected for hotel prices in and around the Olympic site to slump considerably following the Games, the same pattern is occurring in central London as well.
The Travelodge in Covent Garden is charging 170 for a twin room on Friday August 10 - one week later and this price has shrunk to just 42.75.
Elsewhere, the Savoy offers its Signature River 1-Bed Suite King for 5,750 on August 10; a week later it costs 'just' 2,195, a saving of more than 3,500.
Bargain: Adjacent to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, this Premier Inn is offering a 39 rate for a family of four on Friday August 17
Nick Varney, chief executive of attractions operator Merlin, said: 'The travel trade who normally bring tourist groups have basically switched away from London.
'Hotel rooms have gone up in price, and they've thought, "We don't even want to deal with being in London through that summer period." So immediately, there's a trade hit.'
Kit Malthouse, London's deputy mayor, said that a slump in tourism is to be expected in the aftermath of hosting the Olympics.
He said: 'After the Games, there will be an exaggerated effect of people staying away because they're uncertain about what state the city is in.'
However, the effect is expected to be short-lived as the Paralympic Games start on August 29 and run until September 9.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London Welsh's appeal against Premiership promotion block is delayed - The Guardian
London Welsh's appeal against the decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership has been delayed by a week.
The case will now be heard on 28 June – it was originally scheduled for 21 June – under an agreement by all parties involved.
The independent panel will be James Dingemans QC (chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Welsh won this season's Championship after beating Cornish Pirates in both legs of the final.
But the Richmond-based club were told just hours before the first leg kicked off in Cornwall they did not meet minimum standards criteria set down by English rugby's Professional Game Board for entry to the Premiership.
The Exiles played the final's second leg at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, which is thought to be their preferred venue should they gain top-flight status.
As things stand, Newcastle will remain in the Premiership next term despite finishing bottom by a point behind Wasps this season.
But should London Welsh succeed in overturning an original decision that went against them, then they will go up and the Falcons be relegated.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Sussex steal Kent Exiles' Thunder (From News Shopper) - News Shopper
Kent Exiles 12-50 Sussex Thunder
11:08am Tuesday 19th June 2012 in Sport
KENT Exiles were beaten by Sussex Thunder on Sunday in their final home game of the season.
Going into the game as underdogs, and with a depleted squad due to five games in as many weeks having taken its toll with injuries, the Exiles dug in early on and matched Thunder stride for stride.
After an early Thunder score the Exiles thought they had drawn level when Zac Ritchie threw to Sam Johnson and the wideout broke a tackle and outpaced the visiting defence, but a penalty wiped the score off the board.
Ritchie found Colin Chislett and then Johnson again to move them within touching distance of the endzone and Jon Miller caught the touchdown.
Sussex Thunder pulled ahead on their next drive, but the Exiles came straight back once again.
Ben Abbott continued his good form finding some running room and Ritchie found the reliable Chislett and Miller before Wesley Eversley jumped between three defenders to pull in the touchdown and bring the scores level again.
One more Thunder score as the half ran out gave the visitors the lead, but at half-time it was anyone's game.
However, the second half was a different story as Sussex Thunder’s defence started to get on top and force turnovers which resulted in some quick scoring without reply from the Exiles and before long the game was out of reach.
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Source: www.newsshopper.co.uk
Sussex village's bonfire futures looking bleak - thisissussex.co.uk
BONFIRE celebrations in some East Sussex villages could be a thing of the past if local groups continue to struggle for money.
Mayfield and Fletching bonfire societies said this year's events would go ahead but after that the future was bleak unless people were prepared to help or give money.
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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burning out: Mayfield Boyes and Belles Bonfire Society carnival and procession
Crowborough's organisers also said they are "struggling".
They have blamed the lack of community spirit in their villages.
Jo Lee, vice-chairman of Mayfield Bonfire Boyes and Belles Society, which has been running for more than 50 years, said each year they had to start from scratch.
"Funds we collect on the night just go to charity. None of it comes to us at all," she said.
"In years gone by we have managed to raise enough to have a slush fund. Paraffin costs are rising and people are not spending on entertainment.
"You have villages, such as Rotherfield and East Hoathly where people have a community spirit.
"Mayfield is different. It is a commuter village.
"People are quite happy to invite friends down for the event but don't want to help.
"Basically my message is 'support us or lose it'."
Sarah Bradford, chairman of Fletching Bonfire Society, said it cost £10,000 to put on the event each year and fundraising had not been as good as in the past.
"We are going to try and plod on as long as we can," she said.
"We get no support from the village. A lot of people have come from outside. They use the village at a weekend. Most of our fundraising is supported by family and friends of the committee."
Nigel Cassford, chairman of Crowborough Bonfire Society, said the group had been struggling for the past three years.
He said: "People are working longer and don't have as much time. Getting sponsors is harder and harder because they don't have as much money to give.
"We have had to economise. For example we dropped the fireworks display a few years ago. We are not in difficulties as such but times are tough."
But Les Pike, chairman of Rotherfield Bonfire Society, said his group had great support. He said: "We have well over 100 supporters. There is a fantastic community spirit in the village."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Are we expected to feel sympathy for these people who inflate their prices and fill their boots ripping off the Olympic visitors ?
- Graham, Up North, 19/6/2012 12:35
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