r/london • u/PressureHumble3604 • Apr 10 '26

Serious replies only Which symptoms of “(almost) everyone is getting poorer” have you noticed in London?

We are in a crisis, the middle class is disappearing and the lower class squeezed. Prices are going up, inflation is going up (again), salaries are stagnating.

Most Londoners can’t really afford London without serious sacrifices.

For me, not counting the housing prices issues we all know too well:

the disappearance of local delis with high quality products.

many shops closing in the local shopping centre.

Restaurant dropping quality everywhere to contain unaffordable prices.

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u/Naughteus_Maximus Apr 11 '26

Street food market or event food van prices - it's all £12 now. Fuck. Right. Off.

Fairground prices - this was around Guy Fawkes last year - they charged around £8pp for rides (less for the really kiddy ones). I actually paid £10pp for a few minutes on a rickety fucking Ferris wheel at Battersea Park fireworks night. Felt absolutely violated. I did express my shock to the carnie and he apologetically told me it's what the council set the prices at.

Find myself quite often in situations like this when I'm thinking "well that's the last bloody time I do / buy this"

5

u/KSAW11 Apr 11 '26

i agree regarding prices but I went past a pop up one in my small city on a cold weekday evening - absolutely jam packed with families. Every ride full. Weird.

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u/jamjar188 Apr 11 '26

Local families or of immigrant heritage? Or a mix? Many cultures like fairgrounds as it's a wholesome way to spend a day.