'Shops near me have been forced to close'

Norman Waidhofer says the number of visitors to his shop has gone down by between five to 10 per cent after the western extension of the congestion zone was introduced.

Mr Waidhofer, of Andrews Pharmacy in Sloane Street, said: "Regulars who live just outside the zone are now more hesitant to come into the zone.

"Those who came to avoid the central zone now have to pay regardless and have indicated that they may as well go back to the West End, with bigger stores and more range."

He added that in more than 30 years of trading from the site, he had not seen such a serious and prolonged downturn in business.

"We have had to weather difficult conditions before but it has never resulted in such an effect on business as the congestion charge caused. Three or four shops near me have closed down and they are not being replaced. They just cannot make a living any more."