‘Riots are one more unwelcome challenge for troubled high streets’

For many in retail, the outbreaks of disorder that have swept England in the last week will bring back dark memories of the difficult days of 2011 when widespread rioting also erupted.

But this time, there are some big differences. Back then, retail was at the top of the rioters’ target list – looting quickly became a prime motivation as criminals ransacked stores.

Now, it’s people who are being targeted. Retailers including Greggs, Lush and Sainsbury’s have suffered during the unrest as some of their shops were engulfed in the violence.

“The clean-ups organised by residents following the destruction showed the pride that people have in their neighbourhoods”

But those really in the firing line of extreme right-wing rioters have been ethnic minority and Muslim communities. Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman wrote for us yesterday about the impact on shopkeepers from such backgrounds.

Many of the places caught up in the disorder have been towns and suburbs that already faced a raft of problems. The clashes happened to coincide with a report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on the future of the high street.

While most Retail Week readers work for the biggest companies, the findings of the study will resonate with those operating in town centres. Pressure on consumer spending, falling footfall and crime and antisocial behaviour were reported to be the biggest risks to high streets.

Among the improvement measures proposed were changes to the business rates regime and better transport and parking. Plus practical improvements such as more public toilets, which would make shoppers’ trips more, well, convenient, and crèche facilities that would enable people to stay longer.

FSB chair Martin McTague subsequently told the BBC the riots were “having a devastating impact” and risk leaving a “scar” on high streets and businesses that operate there.

Need that be the case? The clean-ups organised by residents following the destruction wrought by rioters showed the pride that people have in their neighbourhoods. A fundraising campaign in support of a Liverpool library damaged by a fire has raised more than £130,000 – far in excess of the £500 original objective.

“If town and suburban centres can get support from the government and local authorities there can be some hope they can survive and thrive”

Retailers too have shown their determination not to let the disorder blow them off course. Announcing the reopening of Lush’s Hull branch on Wednesday, head of UK and Ireland retail Kasey Swithenbank wrote on LinkedIn: “I want to thank Ben the shop manager and the whole team in Hull as well as staff from other local shops who came together under difficult circumstances to get the shop re-opened as quickly as we could.

“To our manufacturing teams, who are made up of individuals from over 30 different countries, thank you for turning that stock replenishment order around in 24 hours.”

Retailers and residents are acting. If town and suburban centres can get similar support from the government and local authorities there can be some hope they can survive and thrive as communities and business locations.

The trouble has followed hot on the heels of the election of a new government. One of Labour’s five “national missions” was a country “where your town centre has been revitalised and everyone feels safe to walk the streets”.

The party pledged action to address issues such as antisocial behaviour and, through the Post Office in particular, “to support the development of new products, services and business models…that will help reinvigorate the high street”.

Riots are one more unwelcome challenge for troubled high streets. It’s time to see pledges put into practice.