'It's just another tax... and the way it operates is a shambles'

Matthew Crawford, managing director of After Noah, the vintage furniture and homeware stores in Islington and Chelsea, says the charge has had a "direct and measurably negative effect" on his business.

"Because Islington is seen as a congestion charge gateway, people assume we are within the zone and they avoid the area," he said. "Congestion outside the zone has also worsened.

"From a small business point of view it's just another tax. And the way it is operated is an utter shambles." Mr Crawford, 41, added: "We saw a downturn in trade as soon as the charge came in. If the charge goes to

£8 it will have a much more profound effect on business."

Jim Allen is director of Optimism Design Limited, a graphic design business in Putney. "The charge puts us off going into the centre of London, which is obviously what Ken Livingstone intended," he said. "Unfortunately, it also makes doing business much harder, especially as many of our clients are in the centre of town."