Firms get language tips for French invasion
 | | Trains will speed from Paris to London in two hours 15 minutes |
THOUSANDS of French tourists are set to arrive on the streets of King's Cross in a matter of months - and businesses are being encouraged to greet their new customers with at least a "Bonjour".
King's Cross Business Forum is helping its 2,000 members learn the lingo in the run-up to the Eurostar running from St Pancras International from November 14.
In a bid to help the area's businesses snap up extra custom from the continent, more than 50 snatches of French conversation have been recorded - on topics from shopping to getting to the station.
Sandi Phillips, leader of the King's Cross Business Forum, said: "We are going to have a number of visitors from France and the rest of the continent.
"There is definitely going to be an increase in the use of hotels and conference facilities and there will be a huge impact on local shops.
"We are expecting more business and it's really important to tap into this.
"They need to improve their language skills - that's number one - and to be aware of the cultural differences.
"We want to make French people welcome and the most obvious thing is to learn to communicate."
Miss Phillips is confident that there are attractions for foreign visitors in the King's Cross area - from museums and historical buildings to boutique shops and furniture designers.
And the King's Cross Business Forum, which is funded by the London Development Agency and delivered by Camden Council, is already taking the lead.
It has a page in French on its website, provided via the French Chamber of Commerce, and has a business directory that will also be translated.
The French dialogues, which can be listened to online, are part of a recently-launched pilot project called Cross Cultural Communication.
The format can be used to have dialogues in other languages in the future - such as Flemish.
PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS?
* Des bières anglaises, bien sûr! Je vous conseille celle-ci, elle est très bonne.
English: Beers, of course! I recommend this one, it's quite nice.
* Le British Museum. C'est gratuit, alors ca vaut la peine! Je dirais au moins une demi-journée, ou plus.
English: The British Museum. It's free, so all it's worth is your time! I'd say at least half a day, if not more.
* C'est complet pour le moment. Voulez-vous attendre? Je dirais environ un quart d'heure.
English: We're full at the moment. Would you like to wait? I'd say about quarter-of-an-hour.
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