Volcano affects West End shopping

The eruption of the volcano in Iceland and the consequent six-day shutdown of Britain's air space cost London £100m in lost tourism spending, early estimates show.

Figures from the office of London Mayor Boris Johnson highlight an "opportunity loss" in spending from tourists on West End shopping and tourist attractions. In spring, around 30,000 visitors arrive in the capital by air, spending an estimated £17m a day in the city. While London hotels were initially busy, occupancy rates swiftly dropped as tourists due to go home found alternative ways to leave the city and were not replaced by incoming visitors.