LIFE is expected to tougher for passengers and weekend trade when the Jubilee Line closes down this summer. London Underground is shutting down the line on weekends from June, meaning travel nightmares and loss of trade for people in West Hampstead, Swiss

LIFE is expected to tougher for passengers and weekend trade when the Jubilee Line closes down this summer.

London Underground is shutting down the line on weekends from June, meaning travel nightmares and loss of trade for people in West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage and St John's Wood.

The closures will allow Transport for London (TfL) to carry out major upgrade works.

Most weekends will be affected from June 13.

One business likely to be hit hard is The Beatles coffee shop at St John's Wood station. Proprietor Richard Porter said: "On the days of closure we will lose at least half our takings. We'll still have locals buying coffee, but it's the tourists going to Abbey Road that will be the problem.

"TfL is not putting on a replacement bus service because they say St John's Wood is well served by buses, but of course tourists don't know about these. The whole thing is going to take a huge toll, especially considering there's a recession."

A TfL spokesman said: "The Jubilee Line is being upgraded as part of Transport for London's multi-billion pound investment programme which will result in a better service for our customers.

"Works being carried out on some weekends include putting in new signalling which will mean more trains as well as faster journeys. The line is due to be completed by the end of the year.