� The Olympics might have just come to an end, but businesses in Havering are already reporting a massive boost.

The Games are believed to have brought in increased trade and visitors to the borough during July and August.

Paul Harris, manager of the Harefield Manor Hotel, where 130 members of the Chinese media team stayed, said: “The Olympics has been phenomenal for Havering.

“There were Chinese tourists in the borough and they were out spending money in the shops.”

During the Games, the hotel in Main Road, Romford was buzzing with guests from Radio Beijing, the Chengdu Economic Daily and a host of Olympians who dined at the hotel.

Mr Harris said that normally during August, just 40 per cent of the rooms would be taken, but this year all of 53 rooms were filled.

He said: “August is usually our quietest time of the year but it was the first year that it was so good for us.

“Our restaurant was always busy, because people knew that we had Chinese guests and we had tourists looking for rooms who we had to turn away.”

The Mercury Mall in Romford saw 26 per cent increase in shoppers over the Games.

‘Positive’

The shopping centre launched a promotion event called Can’t get there - get here, which attracted more than 45,000 people to an interactive exhibition celebrating the history of sport.

Sarah DeCourcy Rolls, deputy centre manager of Mercury Mall said: “The Olympics and Paralympics were a major factor in determining our trade over the July and August period, but we are pleased to report that at The Mercury Mall the impact was positive.

“The number of visitors to the shopping centre has been strong throughout 2012 but over the Games period it increased.”

In Havering, 36 businesses won a total of �13.2m in contracts through CompeteFor, the website that allows businesses the chance to compete for contracts related to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, Cllr Andrew Curtin, said: “Havering residents of all ages enjoyed and gained great benefit from the Games.

“Very many residents played a vital part in the success of the Games by volunteering as Games Makers. Many more volunteered to help out locally and we are very grateful to them for the crucial part they played in hosting events throughout the borough.

“Whilst the Games brought enjoyment and business benefits to the borough, we have paid great attention to the longer term benefits they can bring, particularly in terms of access to Paralympic and Olympic sports, the arts and education.

“We will be publishing a report outlining the next steps in relation to this later this year.”