Kingston is the first local authority to commission an in-depth study of the “Olympic Effect” on its shops, hotels and local attractions. It found 50,000 people flocked in daily to watch last summer’s road cycling events, including Sir Bradley Wiggins’s time trial gold medal performance, spending £1.7 million each day. Although town centre department stores felt a one per cent loss of custom, that was offset by boosts for hotels, pubs and restaurants.