Londoners take to bars and restaurants in London Bridge in mark of 'defiance' a week after terror attack

Chloe Chaplain11 June 2017

Londoners are out enjoying themselves across the city a show of "defiance" a week on from the London Bridge terror attack.

Revellers took to the bars and restaurants of the area where, just seven nights ago, three men launched a deadly rampage - killing eight victims and injuring dozens more.

The British Red Cross's launched a “Night for London” to mark a week since the attack, which raised £700,000 for the families of the victims.

On Saturday night, venues across London donated money from certain dishes or drinks while bucket-shaking for the cause in a defiant display of the city’s resilience.

One week on: Police officers remove the cordon tape by Borough Market
Getty Images

Anna Larragy, who lives in Crouch End, was sitting enjoying birthday drinks in the evening sunshine outside The Anchor pub where people danced to the music of a nearby busker.

Asked what she thought the lively atmosphere of revellers enjoying their Saturday night said about London, the 27-year-old said: "It is one of the best cities in the world. It is so defiant.

'Sunset walk': Faith leaders pose on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral
PA

"This kind of thing is horrible. It's a horrible thing to have happened but it isn't the kind of thing that would break somewhere like London.

"It's an amazing place to be. It has done so many things for so many people.

"It's made a home for so many people like me and I think it's going to continue to be a wonderful place."

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated to victims of the London Bridge attacks
AP

Joining her was Nick Sawyer, 30, who added: "It's Anna's birthday today and there was nothing that was going to stop us coming into London today."

He added: "A week ago it could have been us."

Mr Sawyer said: "The best sign of defiance is coming out and living your lives."

Nick Cron, 24, who lives in Tooting, was also enjoying his night out along the River Thames.

He said he felt no worries about coming out in London on Saturday night, adding: "I don't think about it. I think that's the key thing really.

"I think it's good not to think about it. You've got to just carry on."

Heroes of London Bridge attack - in pictures

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Mr Cron said he feels safe and reflected on the response to the attack, saying: "Some of the heroes that came out of the attack ... What they did encourages me."

Anthony Wood, from East London, duty general manager at The Anchor, was working last Saturday when the attack unfolded nearby and said he felt no anxieties about returning to work.

He said the country, and Londoners, have been through a lot down the years, adding: "We're a pretty hardy nation."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the city will stand united in grief for the eight people who were killed, adding that one of the greatest things about the capital is "how we pull together in the face of adversity".

The mayor said: "London is open. Our resilience, unity and defiance of those evil individuals who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life will never change.

"As we mark one week on from the appalling attack, we are coming together to raise money for the victims and their families.

Vigil: London Bridge
PA

"I urge all Londoners to do what they can to support this appeal and show the world that we are city that will never be divided or cowed by terrorism."

Also among those marking a week since the attack were faith leaders and representatives from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), brought together by the charity Muslim Aid.

The group, people of Christian, Muslim and other faiths, took part in a "sunset walk" from St Paul's Cathedral to the East London Mosque.

Speaking outside St Paul's where people were gathering ahead of the walk, Muslim Aid chief executive Jehangir Malik commented on how busy the capital felt a week on from the attack.

He told the Press Association: "We have the resolve to continue, to do what we have to do ... Living our lives as citizens of London."

Mr Malik added that there are people who want to cause divisions, adding: "But standing here today with all of those around us demonstrates one week on that that's not going to happen."

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