Fred Zentner

THE congestion charge has claimed another two small Bloomsbury businesses, their owners have claimed.

Record shop Rare Discs, which has been in Bloomsbury Street since 1996, and independent bookshop Cinema Books, in Great Russell Street for 36 years, are both due to close this week

Owners Philip Mash­eter and Fred Zentner say the congestion charge – due to rise from £5 to £8 in July – has hit trade. They warned that Bloomsbury could ultimately lose the literary and artistic associations for which it has become renowned.

Mr Masheter, who sells records, magazines and memorabilia, says shops like his are now unable to meet the costs of operating in central London.

He said: “If you generously estimate that we had a 20 per cent loss due to the congestion charge, that money previously covered rent so it is a bit of a knock. It’s incredibly sad packing up after nine years. The area is losing the character it once enjoyed.“No one wants to close down but any money we make goes straight out again to cover costs and it is really rather difficult to survive.”

Philip Masheter

Mr Masheter, who will continue to do business by mail order, added: “We know more people go online to buy these records now but a lot of people are very shocked it has come to this. As in many specialist interest shops, there is a sociable element, which will be lost. You cannot get that from buying stuff on the internet.“People who have been in business here for much longer than myself say it has never been tougher.”

Mr Zetner also blamed the congestion charge, but added: “There are other reasons, like the sea change in the collectors’ market and fewer American tourists, that each take a bite out of the business.”

Cinema Books

A Transport for London spokesman said research showed the effect of the congestion charge on businesses within the zone was “minimal”.

He added: “The general downturn in the UK economy, fewer overseas visitors and the increased threat of terrorism have all taken their toll on business in central London.”

Resident Robin Young, of Bedford Avenue, said: “The congestion charge is hitting things very hard and shops certainly miss out on passing trade. It is very sad. We’ll see more coffee bars presumably.”

He added: “A good example of smaller shops being given as big a chance as possible to compete against bigger businesses is in Marylebone High Street, where the Walden Estate encourages the right kind of businesses by giving preferential treatment to them.”

A third small Bloomsbury business, Robert Frew, an antiquarian bookseller based in Great Russell Street since 1987, has said he will be leaving in the summer. A shop selling lighting fixtures is expected to move in.