Demo plans provoke extra security moves in central London

Hoteliers and restaurateurs in London are preparing to batten down the hatches in anticipation of the May Day anti-capitalist demonstration next Tuesday (1 May).

Hotel security officers have had several meetings with police to discuss protection measures and are employing outside security firms to beef up their staff. Other targets might include the global restaurant chains such as McDonald's, branches of which were attacked in demonstrations last year.

Activists are using the device of the Monopoly game board to guide anti-capitalist protesters to destinations such as The Strand, Park Lane and Mayfair for potential demonstrations.

Oxford Street has been designated the centre for the protest in the mid-afternoon, but it is where protestors plan to go next that is unknown and causing concern.

Security staff at hotels are likely to be increased by two to three times. Some hotels with window panes worth up to £10,000 are planning to board up their windows to prevent damage.

One of the protesters' sites on the Internet listed the Savoy hotel as a potential target, describing it as "where rich and famous scum stay".

"The safety of our guests and employees is paramount and we are keeping them informed and are in close consultation with the police," said a Savoy spokeswoman.

A spokeswoman for the Dorchester said: "We have made security arrangements for 1 May for both staff and guests, but will not comment on details."

A spokeswoman for Hilton, which has nine hotels in London, said: "All our central London hotels could be potentially affected on May 1 and our general managers are undertaking a series of measures to protect the safety of our staff and guests."