Mind the gap

Even the London Underground isn't immune to the global wave of layoffs. Transport for London, operator of London's bus and subway systems, announced that it will let go of 1,000 back office employees. Unions representing workers indicated that they could call for strikes if layoffs were made mandatory.

Give my regards to Broadway

Business for London's theatres has been booming--increasing for the past four years--while New York's theater scene has been struggling recently. Prospects on both aides of the Atlantic are uncertain given economic conditions. For information on London's theatre offerings, check the Society of London Theatre website.

Everything's on sale!

For American and Japanese tourists, the declining value of the British Pound makes London a "bargain" recently. Well, London's is not inexpensive no matter where the British currency goes, but take a look at this chart showing the value of the Pound to the Dollar to see the impact of currency values:

For details, go to Yahoo! Finance.

Airports for sale!

Several bids have been submitted to purchase London's Gatwick Airport. The airport operator, BAA, is in the process of selling London's second largest airport. It should be noted that BAA hired the Royal Bank of Scotland as advisers to the sale and RBS is currently experiencing severe difficulties.

"Please sir, no MORE...."

Recycling continues strongly in one sector of London: theatre. Now it's a revival of Oliver! at the Drury Lane Theatre. One can almost hear the urchins chirping "Oliver, Oliver." Gruel and unusual punishment to some.

Waxing for change

Americans in London can meet "President Obama" on January 20 at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Just bring a passport for free admission to the see the new president's 3-D portrait.

Which London hotels are filthy?

Britain's Which Holiday magazine found filth in several London budget hotels. The consumer magazine was investigating cleaning standards in lower-cost hotels and the results were not encouraging for budget travelers. The Ibis Euston, and several Travelodges near Kings Cross, had problems. Comfort Inns and Jurys Inns inspected by Which were clean. Hotel chains with issues promised improvements.

Dah...da,da,da,da, Dah--Oh no, it's a Phantom of the Opera sequel!

Renowned (some would say "over-the-hill") musical producer Andrew Lloyd Webber will recycle his hit Phantom of the Opera with a sequel titled Love Never Dies. The new show is slated to open in late 2009 in London and in a yet-unnamed Asian city.