Web page to help new London firms

Start-up businesses will be given help to find cheap premises via a website set up by Boris Johnson today.

The site, londonnewenterprise.co.uk, will bring together new firms and landlords, who have been encouraged to list their empty premises at reduced rates. The number of empty commercial properties in London has risen significantly since the recession.

The Mayor said: "It's absurd that there are so many properties lying vacant while new businesses are looking for space and opportunity to grow."