Green Party mayoral candidate Sian Berry visits Elephant & Castle

Ms Berry was given a guided tour by members of the Elephant Amenity Network who took her to meet traders in the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, the market and the Elephant Road railway arches.

The visit was intended to highlight the candidate's policies to protect small traders in the capital.

"Boris Johnson has ignored 99 percent of London's enterprise with his neglect of small businesses, and seems content for firms that make things in our city to go completely extinct," said Sian Berry.

"We can't rebuild London without space for jobs but his London Plan does nothing to protect firms like the Latin American businesses at the Elephant during regeneration projects.

"Businesses need to have enough security in their lease to be confident investing in their premises and equipment. They need stability and predictability in their rents, so they can plan ahead without being stung by sudden increases.

"And they need to be fully involved in any redevelopment proposals, with options explored so that they can retain existing business space where possible. This is not just the decent way to treat them – it's of critical importance to London's economic health."

Although Ms Berry is unlikely to become mayor, she is very likely to gain a seat on the London Assembly at City Hall as she tops the party's list of candidates in that election.