Indies Fear The Effect Of Rioting

The recent riots occurring across UK cities has meant shops broken into and wares being stolen.

Theo Steele, owner of Deli Downstairs in Hackney, London is near one of the affected areas. He said, “One of our colleagues could not get home last night and had to stay with her brother, because she needed to walk across London Fields. People are being pushed off their bikes and it’s not a safe area at the moment.

“I’m worried that it may kick off again this evening. Some businesses in the area including the local pub have closed early to avoid staff members being left on their own,” he says.

In terms of recent events, Mr Steele is convinced that the attackers will not damage his shop, however he is concerned about the effect of sales. “Coming out today, it’s very quiet around, and I am sure that this will have an effect on the takings.

Director general of the British Retail Consortium, Stephen Robertson, said, “I deplore the violence and property damage inflicted by these criminal actions. I have the greatest sympathy for those who’ve lost businesses, staff whose jobs are now in jeopardy and customers now without local services.

“There may be genuine economic or community relations grievances in these areas but they will not be helped by torching shops.

“Retail is at the heart of thriving communities. Clearly, with high streets under pressure anyway, at least some of the businesses destroyed will not be able to re-establish themselves, causing long-term damage.

“And, at a time when some of London’s most deprived areas are looking forward to a substantial spending boost from visitors to next year’s Olympics, this sends an appalling message to would-be tourists around the world,” he says.