New charges 'will destroy Chinatown community'

Westminster's parking charges could "destroy" the largest Chinese community in London, according to businesses in Chinatown.

Chinese restaurants, Asian shops, hairdressers and herbal medicine shops today urged the council not to go ahead with plans. Yan Chen, 25, head waiter Lisle Street's Young Cheng restaurant, said: "It's just too expensive and will stop customers coming as they can't afford to eat and pay to park - on top of the already expensive congestion charge."

Simone Liw, 36, manager of Mary's Team Hair Gallery opposite, said "charges could destroy business and current community life as we know it".

She added: "There are many Chinese people living outside of central London who visit the area on a Sunday when they know it is free to park - they come in with their families to enjoy some dim sum and shopping.

"In terms of our business, there are other hairdressers in London that people can go to - so I worry that they will no longer bother coming here."

Chen Fen Xu, 25, assistant manager at the nearby Dim Sum restaurant, said "It will stop people coming to the area which will make it less busy and vibrant. It is not good for our business and could cost us as much as 20 per cent."