[originaltext] The London bombings will cost the UK up to 3 billion pounds a

The London bombings will cost the UK up to 3 billion pounds and have an effect on the economy comparable to a natural disaster or deadly virus outbreak, an expert has said.
    The World Markets Research Centre said the attacks will cause similar economic damage to ahurricane or earthquake, or the Sars crisis of 2003.
    Jan Randolph, head of risk at tile London-Based Business analysts, said: "You have the immediate cost in terms of physical damage."
    But the real cost comes from the knock-on effect which is quite considerable in terms of use of public transport and retail sales, which were sliding anyway.
    "There’s also tourism and entertainment to consider, there will be less visitors, less people going to theatres and restaurants."
    "We estimate 2 to 3 billion pounds in terms of cost to the UK economy and a fall in growth of up to 0.2% over the quarter, although that should rebound next quarter, as it did after September 11 and the Madrid bombings."
    Mr. Randolph predicted there would also be an increase in the internet retail sector and use of car parks as a result of the London bombings.
    He said: "What we saw amid the Sars virus in Asia was a rise in online shopping--the same is likely to happen here."
    "People will just think, ’Why risk going out the door when I can just order my hi-fi or groceries or whatever over the internet’?’ Commuters are also likely to take their cars into work more, rather than chance it on public transport."