For a long time the City of London had a reputation for being a hive of activity during working hours but then going to sleep the rest of the time. It was quite impressive to see. However, there was a big downturn during the covid pandemic. Since then the area has been redefining itself. We want to have a look at the change here and why it is now a great spot for dining out. Then, if you need estate management in the City of London, you can rely on us.

All change

Before covid the City would be very busy from Monday to Friday until the evening. However, after 6pm or so it would be all quiet. The majority of the people who work in the area or visited for meetings would have gone.

The district became even quieter because of covid. During the height of the pandemic the majority of businesses were closed and people were working remotely. Since then, a number of workers have not gone back to the office full time. In fact, hybrid working seems to be here to stay, with the area only really getting back to its busiest from Tuesday to Thursday. Monday and Friday can be quiet.

The City has responded to this change by looking at changing itself. Most interestingly, it is becoming a great spot for dining out. This entices people to go to the office and head to the area for meetings. It also attracts tourists who want to eat at fine establishments. If you are looking to invest in property and get estate management in the City of London, be aware of the impact this change will have.

Places to eat

Impressively the City of London now has dozens of restaurants. This includes some high profile names like One Lombard Street, The Ned, Hawksmoor, and Coq d’Argent. A number of them have opened in the last year following a tricky 2019-2022 period where the total number of venues fell by 28%.

One of the most high profile new openings is the Wolseley City. It is the biggest of the year, reportedly costing £10m to transform the former department store.

Two busy periods

The interesting thing now is the dining scene in the City tends to have two busy periods. The first is Tuesday-Thursday. Diners here tend to be executives and corporates who work in the area. They can go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner before leaving.

Then there is the weekend. More visitors travel to the City on Saturday and Sunday now because it has more to attract tourists and other visitors. The restaurant scene is central to this. A lot of them offer food and an experience people are willing to travel for.

Will it continue?

There is plenty of positivity that the area will remain a great spot for dining. This is something investors and people who choose estate management in the City of London should keep in mind.

However, there are some concerns too. For example, there are fears more rail strikes in the future would eat into visitor numbers. Plus, there is a plan to increase business rates in April 2024. That would make it more costly for businesses and could force some to close.

The silver lining here is the Christmas period could be a really busy one for the restaurants in the area. It could be incredibly rewarding for businesses.

Do you want to use expert estate management in the City of London?

At Finefair Ltd we appreciate all the fantastic areas in London. It is one of the most interesting cities in the world because you can find everything from business and retail centres to quiet residential spots and green open space. The sheer amount of choice for investment properties is incredible too.

If you do invest, you can work with us to get exceptional services. We offer estate management in the City of London, guaranteed rent, and much more. They are flexible and we will do everything you need us to. So, get in touch today and learn more.