THE LONDON OLYMPICS could be the catalyst for a three-month long party after it emerged that pubs, clubs and restaurants are set to be allowed extended opening hours during the summer of 2012.
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It’s not exactly hard to get a late drink in town now, but for the Olympic season, Westminster Council – which covers much of the West End – is ready for many more establishments to run a late bar.
“We will need to strike an appropriate balance between the needs of the Games themselves; helping Westminster businesses to maximise the opportunity which the Olympics present; and supporting the wider Westminster residential and business communities to get the best out of the Games,” said Angela Harvey, a Westminster Councillor.
To cope with the extra visitor numbers, the council has slapped a ban on staff taking holiday during the summer months of 2012.
On top of that, building work will be banned in central London between June and August and Transport for London has agreed to run more buses and possibly the Tube into the early hours.
Officially, that’s to help spectators get back from the Games’ venues, but late-hours transport will also act as a green light to revellers.
