With several hotels on the Free School Street belt shutting down, visitors have been left in the lurch
“Our sales have dropped by 30%. Because of this harassment, it will ruin the economy,” said Chayan Saha, the restaurant manager, the entire neighbourhood depends on Bangladeshis, and if they stop coming. Free School Street, which is usually buzzing with activity, wears a deserted look in the wake of the fire With several hotels on the Free School Street belt shutting down, visitors have been left in the lurch Free School Street, which is usually buzzing with activity, wears a deserted look in the wake of the fire With several hotels on the Free School Street belt shutting down, visitors have been left in the lurch Kolkata: A week after the fire at a Free School Street lodge killed nine persons, including seven Bangladeshi nationals, the entire neighbourhood that used to buzz with activity has been left deserted. The fallout of the tragedy continues to sweep through the belt with hotels being shut, visitors from Bangladesh, Nepal and other parts of India scrambling for accommodation, and local businesses counting losses. Prince Restaurant on Free School Street, which serves Bangladeshi food and usually sees long queues during lunch and dinner, has also recorded a sharp dip in footfall. But we will manage. Our heart goes out to the Bangladeshi patients caught in this mess. Florence Mansion, the building where the fire had killed nine guests is still sealed. Major hotels on Marquis Street, Sudder Street and Free School Street, including Hotel Crystal, Hotel Walson, Golden Apple and Hotel Oriental, have been shut. Astoria Hotel was the only large hotel still operational.
On Tuesday, it turned back scores of customers, citing a shortage of rooms.