Small business owners have reacted with concern to the effects the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) could have on their livelihoods.

As of October 2021, people living in Chingford will be forced to pay £12.50 to drive to the other side of the North Circular Road.

Sharon Goksaran, owner of Best Dress 2 Impress bridal shop, in Chingford Mount Road, said although she is a supporter of measures to improve air quality she fears the effect the ULEZ will have on her business.

She said: “The implications are going to be the increased charges which will affect any business, it is the price we have to pay.

“It will affect any sort of shop if people are deterred from making deliveries to it.

“We have to try and work with it unfortunately.”

The ULEZ will be introduced in central London in April 2019 and be expanded to the North and South Circular Roads in October 2021.

Data released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on Thursday revealed that 63 per cent of small business owners who responded predict operating costs of their businesses will increase as a result of the introduction of the ULEZ.

A total of 43 per cent said it would lower their profit margins.

Idan, co-owner of the Feel Good Café, a vegan businesses based in Station Road, Chingford would like to see more people adopt a plant-based diet to benefit the environment.

He said: “People do come from far away and they want vegan food, so I think it will affect them.

“The best way to reduce emissions is to become vegan.”

The owner of Ash Autoparts in Station Road, Chingford, who did not wish to be named, said: “It will affect us because we have to drive to work so we won’t be able to commute.”

Nick Halebi, the Conservative councillor for Chingford Green, is strongly opposed to the ULEZ expanding to the North and South Circular Roads and has been an active campaigner in recent months.

Cllr Halebi said: “I think it is going to have a detrimental effect on business unless people are willing to pay the extra. I can’t see any way around it.

“People come into the area to work and they are all going to have to pay this charge, people providing a service to residents will face a charge and people coming to do work for the elderly will face a charge.

“This could mean an increase in the cost of these services.

“It will affect small businesses and it will affect residents.”