[Stuart]

Whether the games helped local business depends who you ask. I work in Greenwich, next to the park, so although I didn't go to the games, I got to see the impact on local business. Greenwich Market (which had been told by both LOCOG and the council) that it would do well was nearly empty every day (actually had a fraction of the customers it normally does). The shops apprently did well (all reporting increased takings), but there might be a good reason for that..

They put barriers up everywhere in Greenwich, to direct pedestrians between the station and the Park.

The route they chose goes past pretty much every shop in the Maritime area of Greenwich (the area between Greenwich station and the Cutty Sark), but they didn't seem to allow Greenwich Market to advertise along that route, and while the market was still accessible, the people going there had to know where exactly to cross the road, and the holes in the barriers don't directly line up with the Market entrances or exits.

Of course, that had nothing to do with the fact that Greenwich Market sells food, and at the officially approved stalls near the entrance to the arena, they were selling Sandwiches for £7.50.