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Like everyone I know, I couldn't wait for the Olympics to arrive. It's a real chance for East London, where I've lived all my life, to show the world what a great place it is. So when I was offered the chance to be part of it by having a food and drink stall close to the stadium, I jumped at it.

More than 30 of us - all small business people from the local area - have paid an average of £25,000 for our stalls. We were told by North London Business -- who sold us the pitches -- that there would be around 80,000 people walking past our stalls every day as it would be a main route for spectators walking to the Olympic Park.

Instead of what we were promised, spectators were being directed a different way and only a handful of people walked past. I took £110 in the first three days - myself and all the other stall holders have been forced to shut up shop.

Many have borrowed the money and refused other jobs as we were focusing on this opportunity. Now, some of us are on the verge of ruin - days have passed and we've sold nothing, even having to throw away good food.

I know that this was a business deal, and like anything, it comes with some risk. But what we were sold and what we actually got were totally different -- just guesswork and empty promises that lead to us investing in something that wasn't real.

I have had my catering business for thirty years. I have built up respect and loyalty for it and it has provided for my family. Now it is under threat because I believe we were lied to.

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I live near there, and know that there is NEVER any footfall on that road, and no signage. Even the volunteers don't walk to the games that way, so it was a complete con.