West End businesses unite to condemn 'despicable' move

Leading West End figures today lined up to condemn the "absolutely despicable" £4.80 an hour evening parking charges planned by Westminster council.

Masterchef judge Michel Roux Jr, Angela Hartnett, the Michelin-starred chef patron of Mayfair's Murano, Richard Corrigan of Corrigan's Mayfair and nightclub owner Peter Strngfellow were among those who signed a letter to the Standard urging council leaders "to think again before it is too late to prevent the damage that this is going to cause the borough".

Mr Roux, who is chef de cuisine at the two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in Mayfair, told the Standard: "It's absolutely despicable and will hurt Mayfair so much because people just won't come here, they will go outside central London. There is no congestion problem in Mayfair and there never has been, and I've been here since 1981.

"Many of my staff drive in after 6.30 to avoid the congestion charge. They have to drive in because of the simple fact that the cost of housing in London is so excessive. How do you get to somewhere like Merton at 1am by public transport? It takes nearly two hours and if you're a female member of staff it's just not on. But if you have to pay £30 extra a day they not going to come.

"The fact that there was no consultation is appalling and bordering on illegal. On a personal front I have been here as a business for 30 years and now I am being told to sod off."

Nightclub owner Mr Stringfellow spoke of his "shock and embarrassment" that a Conservative run council "should even consider such a foolhardy proposal". He said: "My main opposition to this proposal is quite simply that it will without doubt mean hundreds of jobs will be lost, at least 25 jobs from my two clubs alone."

John Griffin, founder and chairman of Addison Lee which runs 3,000 minicabs in London, said: "This move is the worst thing you could believe. It will turn the West End into a ghost town. Westminster council are a disgrace. Women will be put at risk because they cannot get home."