Riots on London's high streets out of control

London’s retailers are in a state of fear as the riots which started in sub areas of London, a couple of days ago, have grown out of control. Debenhams have just announced they will be closing their Wimbledon and Eltham outlets after looters attacked

their Clapham Junction store yesterday.

A clothing business in Peckham High Street named Giselle was among the stores ransacked in outer London Owner Giselle Asante said the items taken included wedding dresses due to be collected later this week. "It is truly devastating," said Ms Asante. "We cannot replace any of these things because we have made them all."

Whilst independent retailers across London have up to now been most effected as their precious shops have been attacked and set fire by youth gangs, riots are now spreading to other key retail cities, such as Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds and Liverpool. Fear is also now gathering around Britain’s top department stores and shopping centres as police are starting to congregate around Westfield London and the Birmingham Bullring in anticipation.

Stephen Robertson of The British Retail Consortium has spoken out, “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," Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, told City AM. "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."