18:20

Restaurants just metres from Oxford Circus underground are back in business.

Chefs in Ponti’s Italian Kitchen are putting pizza in the oven and waiters are serving drinks.



Robert, the manager, said his staff at the Italian restaurant followed their security procedures and rushed customers into the basement, giving them water.

When a waitress announced that no terror incident had taken place, the remaining customers erupted with applause. But missing out on Black Friday dinner sales was a concern, he said.



It is an important day for us. We have been full since 8am. We depend on London city centre and the hustle and bustle it involves. But more importantly, the police responded in way they do always do. Brilliant.