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C-charge price rise is last straw for traders
Andy Tristem
DOZENS of Marylebone businesses are calling for congestion charge concessions for independent traders.
Twenty-four Marylebone firms were among 250 traders inside the zone which signed a petition against Monday's charge rise from £5 to £8.
Peter Schweiger, 59, who owns shoemaker James Taylor and Son on Paddington Street, said: "There was a drop in trade on Monday. There will soon be no independent shops left in the zone. They will all just vote with their feet.
"On this street I have seen Blagden fishmonger close down and move outside the zone. Next door to us, Victoria Wine closed down when the charge started in February 2003 and has not been re-let. One shop further down, recruitment company Legal and Medical, closed this May and remains empty."
He said the firm's shoe repair business had plummeted by 15 per cent since the charge was introduced. "We need a hop-on bus to provide a service for shoppers along the high street," he added.
Nick de Bastarrechea, owner of Hardy's restaurant in Dorset Street, said: "I estimate that this will cost £50,000 a year on top of £200,000 a year lost when the charge was introduced.
"All the little shops are struggling. It makes me so cross to see people I know losing their businesses. The congestion charge should finish at 11am - once people are in why not switch it off?"
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) handed the petition to London Assembly member Angie Bray outside Blagden fishmonger on Monday morning.
Blagden's owners blamed the congestion charge when the shop closed in May after four generations of trading.
FPB campaign officer Victoria Carson said: "The charge hits smaller traders like fishmongers and newsagents with smaller profit margins. It could end up with the death of the high street - no individual shops left; just cloned bars, cafes and clothes shops."
A survey of 500 FPB members in January revealed one-third are considering relocating and two-thirds have seen a drop in trade.
Ms Carson said: "Butchers and sandwich firms should be given concessions so they can deliver to restaurants at lunchtime without being charged."
Ms Bray, Tory assembly member for West Central, called for the congestion charge cameras to be switched off at least half an hour earlier.
"At the moment we have to wait until February 2007, when the extension is due to come in, for the charge period to be reduced from 6.30pm to 6pm", Ms Bray said.
She added: "Why should firms be saddled with more difficult conditions for nearly two years?"
A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL) said: "The evidence we have is the congestion zone is to have a neutral effect but we will continue to hold talks with businesses."
Westminster Council is surveying traffic to assess the impact of the congestion charge hike.
The investigation showed the number of cars using Marylebone High Street increased by 23 per cent on Monday compared to the week before. Councillor Danny Chalkley, Westminster transport boss, said: "This snapshot indicates to Londoners that raising the congestion charge has not deterred motorists from entering the zone this morning."
andy.tristem@hamhigh.co.uk
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