The London Assembly’s budget chairman has called on Boris Johnson to help breathe new life into Brick Lane.

Businesses are struggling with the curry trade facing 40 per cent drop in trade—even the Olympics failed to bring the expected business despite the area being declared the official 2012 ‘Curry Capital.’

City Hall’s budget chief John Biggs, who represents east London on the Assembly, blamed the government for raising VAT to 20 per cent and for the impact of the Olympics driving away London’s tourist trade.

He also slammed the 2012 organisers for diverting the Olympic Marathon away from the East End.

“There has been a clear failure of leadership and a refusal to keep promises by the 2012 organisers who were accountable to Boris Johnson,” Mr Biggs claimed.

“There was no promotion of Brick Lane as London’s ‘Curry Capital’ despite a deal being struck with the Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

“Their promises amounted to nothing. Questions need to be answered why the Mayor presented this as a success when it was nothing of the sort.”

He is demanding to know what steps were taken to promote the area and what assurances can be given to seriously promote the local economy.

His call follows last week’s Advertiser investigation into Brick Lane where some restaurants are either closed, up for sale or in danger of going bust.