The London Retail Consortium has been launched on Tuesday.

The new body, which is dedicated to getting action for retailers in London, is being set up in response to the impact made by a series of major problems in the last few years that have impacted on retail businesses.

These include global terrorism, SARS, foot and mouth disease and general lack of confidence in the public transport infrastructure.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Peter Williams, chairman of the LRC said: "Shopping is the number one reason for visiting London. Retail is the second largest business sector and employer in London. This means that what matters to retail should matter to everyone with a stake in the future of our city.

"London is in danger of losing its position as one of the shopping capitals of the world. The LRC will fight to ensure that all agencies with responsibility for the capital work effectively to deliver a positive future for London and retail in London."

Bill Moyes, BRC director general, said: "The LRC will bring together senior figures from all areas of retailing to give this important industry the voice it needs."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

Richard Morse, spokesman for the FSB, told ePolitix.com: "For every Selfridges or Liberty, there are hundreds of smaller retailers also suffering. There is a need to tackle the long-term decline in all parts of the retail sector in central London.

"Some of the problems - the fear of terrorism, for example - cannot be solved by Londoners. But London's politicians can take action about issues such as the impact of the congestion charge or the transport infrastructure."

Forum Response: Usdaw

Sir Bill Connor, general secretary, told ePolitix.com: "Usdaw represents over 20,000 members who live in London, the majority of whom work in retail.

"We share the employers' view that retail is very important to the economy of London, which is why we regularly lobby for better public transport, safer shopping schemes to cut crime and on many other issues.

"London shopworkers work extremely hard in some of the busiest shopping streets in the UK. Usdaw is there for those workers to ensure that their issues and concerns are raised."