Eateries face lean times

Dion made an attempt to battle the affects of the crunch over the summer but was eventually forced to close its doors.

The news has been compounded by rumours Smollensky’s Bar and Grill at Reuters Plaza is to be put up for sale, which its management are refusing to deny.

However, both Canary Wharf Group and X-Leisure, which runs the West India Quay strip, insist the market is still strong.

CWG moved quickly to announce Canteen was opening at the planned extension at Canada Square, while X-Leisure revealed there was a number of groups interested in moving to West India Quay.

Tom Aiken’s diner, Tom’s Kitchen, pulled out of its Canada Square unit after its two other eateries went into administration.

Privately, staff at West India Quays restaurants are pinning their hopes on strong Christmas trade which could prove vital.

Property manager Helen Burgess, of X-Leisure, which owns the freehold to West India Quay retail outlets, highlighted a number of obstacles that had affected trade – including the bad summer weather, the credit crunch and the regular weekend transport disruption.

She said: “The DLR and Jubilee line closures have had a massive effect.

“We have an agreement about how DLR notify us of works taking place. Up until now, they have not met their side of the bargain.�

The views were echoed by other bar managers.

Samantha Wells at Via said: “When the DLR and Tube are down it really affects us. It’s difficult – the two don’t seem to talk.�