Gatwick Obviously didn’t Bank on a week of major Tube strikes
THERE are plenty of Londoners hoping that TfL could still cut a deal with union leaders and halt the current Tube strikes, but Gatwick’s ad men might well be crossing their fingers more tightly than most.
The airport has staged a week-long advertising takeover in both Bank and Westminster Tube stations but with the Tube strike, which spans much of the next two days, it’s likely to have far less of an impact than they’d hoped.
The Gatwick Obviously campaign has picked the two stations in a bid to target business and political leaders and “uses cheeky slogans that counter Heathrow’s claim for a new runway”.
It’s not a complete disaster for Gatwick, of course – there are still some lines functioning out of both stations, the Northern and Jubilee lines for example – but footfall will be vastly reduced.
While Gatwick declined to comment, we can’t help thinking there may well be some miffed Gatwick executives this morning.
But while the West Sussex-based airport has reason to be annoyed about industrial action driving Londoners away from the Underground, other businesses are happy to cash in on the misfortune of TfL and we, the commuters.
To the right are but a few examples of the businesses making the most of it.
TUBE STRIKE CASH-InS
Uber
■ Uber's new "KeepLondonMoving" promotion will allow Londoners to receive a 50 per cent discount for splitting a car. The deal started last night and runs until 30 April.
Pizza Express
■ Hungry guests who visit Pizza Express on their way home from work and tag themselves @PizzaExpress with #PizzaCrawl, could win a year’s supply of pizza.
Leon
■ Cyclists riding to avoid the strikes can get a free coffee before 11am and after 5pm at Leon by showing their helmets and buying food.
OnePiece
■ Onesie maker OnePiece is offering a 10 per cent discount to Londoners who use the code: SLACKINGNOTSTRIKING.