Live update: Deliveries run smoothly despite talk of Olympic road chaos

Tuesday, 31 July 2012 11:52 
Gloomy predictions of traffic chaos hampering wine and spirits deliveries throughout London 2012 have been unfounded according to distributors.

Olympics day four - live update:

John Charnock, managing director of Jascots Wine Merchants, said: “We have been planning this for many months now but I am still surprised how smoothly it is all going.”

“We have completed four nights of deliveries all over London and have not had a single hitch. Our drivers are reporting that traffic is relatively light and every single one of our clients, including pubs, restaurants and hotels, have been there on time and welcomed us with open arms. It is a very practical demonstration of partnership in action and we really feel like part of the same team.”

Charnock added that 68% of Jascots' most valued London-based on-trade clients are accepting night-time deliveries, but less than a third of those are actually mandated do so because of the Olympic Route Network. “I have been really impressed with how the majority of our clients have committed to the whole concept of night-time deliveries,” he said.

It's very much as case of "business as usual" over at Bibendum. Bob Smyllie, operations director, said: “It is a case of so far, so good, as far as logistics in London are concerned. Deliveries to Olympic venues are running smoothly and those to the on-trade are also going well.

"We began night-time deliveries to some customers last week and there have been no access or security issues so far. The majority of our customers seem to be very comfortable with our short-term arrangements and it is very much a case of business as usual (or as usual as the restrictions will allow)."

He added: "In terms of transport issues beyond our control, delivery vehicles appear to be navigating the capital with no major hold ups or disruption. Our strategy was always to complete as many deliveries as possible earlier than usual and ensure our vehicles can leave busy London roads before lunchtime.”

At Enotria, customer services manager Nick Corker said deliveries had been "as smooth as silk", with none of the drivers reporting any hitches. "As with everyone, we were expecting it to be chaotic, so we have made sure we have gone that extra mile to make sure everything is going to plan – and it has."

Deliveries have so far gone smoothly for Liberty Wine, according to managing director David Gleave MW. "We've had a few hiccups, but nothing serious," he told Harpers. " Most of our deliveries are going out between midnight and 5am, so we haven't had a problem getting stock to customers.

"The roads are pretty clear in most of town. On the whole, it has been, up until now, very easy. It is worth saying that a lot of work was done beforehand by Liberty and our customers to ensure that everything was organised, and this has helped make it easy."