Entertainment

Theatres and restaurants were hit hard last night by the strike as customers deserted the West End early.

Staff at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket claimed they had lost passing trade, with the streets far quieter than usual. The TGI Friday restaurant in Coventry Street was also suffering badly. Staff member Anita Curzon, 21, said: "We would usually have had about 750 people in by 9.30pm. So far we've had less than 500."

One smaller restaurant, Vecchia Milano in Welbeck Street, had filled only three tables by

8.30pm and taken one booking for the night.

The Comedy Theatre in Panton Street admitted they had failed to fill the auditorium for The Old Masters. However, the manager of the Prince of Wales Theatre, Roger Johnson, 33, said there had been a "full house" to see Mamma Mia.

Top restaurants, including The Ivy, fared better. At English restaurant Rules, ma"tre d' Terry Wood said diners from hotels had kept trade going. "The only problem is taxis. Customers have a terrible job getting them during these strikes."