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London Riots: Retailers React
Listed under: News
Published: Tuesday, August 09, 2011
London saw the worst rioting in decades last night, with youths smashing up retail units, throwing petrol bombs at police and torching buildings.
Arud Chevlan, owner of Party Crafts in Croydon, feared for his family as rioting unfolded all around his store, but thankfully left it undamaged. “I feel very lucky that my shop hasn't been physically affected by the rioting,” he tells Craft business.
“The off-license next door has been broken into, looted and destroyed; it's in a real sorry state. A little further up the road, a building has been completely burned to the ground.
“It was a really scary time for us; just before the riots began, we were advised to shut up shop and return home to stay safe. My main concern was making sure my wife and four children were OK.
“Our shop is a family business and now my main concern is how these recent events will affect everyday trading. I'm worried how long customers will avoid the area. I'm going to continue to trade and open up each day, although I'm still wary as to what could still happen.
“It makes me question who is going to support these businesses and who will help businesses in the area get back on their feet.”
Croydon was home to some of the worst violence seen, including the arson attack on the House of Reeves furniture store which has been in the same family since its opening in 1867, of which all that remains now is a pile of ash.
Rioting spread throughout the night to areas surrounding London. As the violence spilled over into Romford, the town's Hobbycraft store had a narrow escape, receiving no damage despite being next door to JD Sports which had its windows smashed in. “We're absolutely fine, and everyone is just trying to get on with things,” the store told Craft Business.
Those not directly affected are keen to unite in a stoic front, feeling angry at the rioters, but determined to stand up to them. “I feel so sorry for all of the independent shops affected,” says Morag Jones, owner of haberdashery shop Honor Parry in Wandsworth, which is not far from another heavily-affected area, Clapham Junction. “These are all small family run businesses which have been trashed.
“The rioters just don't care that they're destroying people's livelihoods. It's opportunism, and most people have no sympathy for them.
“When you see images like a woman jumping for her life from a burning building, and you see that a lot of the rioters are children – it's just shocking.
“I can't speak for other retailers, but we've still had customers this morning, and there's the usual amount of people queuing at the bus stop opposite.
“Of course those directly affected are going to be scared, but we've got to show these people we will not be beaten. We mustn't give in – we have to carry on.”
Rioting also took place in other cities around England, and the Retail Trust Helpline has published new advice on coping with traumatic events at: http://retailtrust.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/kw/riot
The Retail Trust is a charity looking after the needs of those employed in the retail sector. Its helpline is free, confidential and independent: 0808 801 0808 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“The off-license next door has been broken into, looted and destroyed; it's in a real sorry state. A little further up the road, a building has been completely burned to the ground.
“It was a really scary time for us; just before the riots began, we were advised to shut up shop and return home to stay safe. My main concern was making sure my wife and four children were OK.
“Our shop is a family business and now my main concern is how these recent events will affect everyday trading. I'm worried how long customers will avoid the area. I'm going to continue to trade and open up each day, although I'm still wary as to what could still happen.
“It makes me question who is going to support these businesses and who will help businesses in the area get back on their feet.”
Croydon was home to some of the worst violence seen, including the arson attack on the House of Reeves furniture store which has been in the same family since its opening in 1867, of which all that remains now is a pile of ash.
Rioting spread throughout the night to areas surrounding London. As the violence spilled over into Romford, the town's Hobbycraft store had a narrow escape, receiving no damage despite being next door to JD Sports which had its windows smashed in. “We're absolutely fine, and everyone is just trying to get on with things,” the store told Craft Business.
Those not directly affected are keen to unite in a stoic front, feeling angry at the rioters, but determined to stand up to them. “I feel so sorry for all of the independent shops affected,” says Morag Jones, owner of haberdashery shop Honor Parry in Wandsworth, which is not far from another heavily-affected area, Clapham Junction. “These are all small family run businesses which have been trashed.
“The rioters just don't care that they're destroying people's livelihoods. It's opportunism, and most people have no sympathy for them.
“When you see images like a woman jumping for her life from a burning building, and you see that a lot of the rioters are children – it's just shocking.
“I can't speak for other retailers, but we've still had customers this morning, and there's the usual amount of people queuing at the bus stop opposite.
“Of course those directly affected are going to be scared, but we've got to show these people we will not be beaten. We mustn't give in – we have to carry on.”
Rioting also took place in other cities around England, and the Retail Trust Helpline has published new advice on coping with traumatic events at: http://retailtrust.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/kw/riot
The Retail Trust is a charity looking after the needs of those employed in the retail sector. Its helpline is free, confidential and independent: 0808 801 0808 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
