More than 10% of the total number of retailers and leisure businesses in the UK were impacted by the recent civil unrest - a large proportion of which are independent firms.
A recent report from the Local Data Company (LDC) reveals that, to date, some 48,404 shops, pubs and restaurants have been directly or indirectly impacted by the recent riots and looting. The LDC has found reports of 28 town centres that have been affected, not to mention standalone supermarkets and retail parks, such as in Croydon.

Independent businesses with less than five outlets account for 65.7% of those affected by the attacks and looting across the UK. It is perhaps unsurprising that so many smaller businesses were impacted by the civil unrest, with some of the town centres hit boasting a large proportion of independent businesses. Of Croydon's 1,150 retailers and leisure outlets, 67% are independents, while in Central London, independent firms account for 69% of the area's 24,865 shops, pubs and restaurants.

LDC director Matthew Hopkinson said of the results: "These figures are horrifying in terms of the damage that has been done to an already struggling sector. The retail sector is a major contributor to inner city regeneration projects as well as employing thousands of people. The fact that over 65% of those affected are independents, shows how random and thoughtless the actions of this criminal minority are. These businesses are the livelihoods of many people and the ability to bounce back from this has yet to be seen. It is the last thing that the high street let alone the country needed. It is important that the law abiding majority offer as much support as they can to these affected businesses."

The LDC tracks 475,809 retail and leisure premises in the UK, with 10.2% of these firms were impacted by the riots. Adding the standalone supermarkets and retail parks that were also targeted into the equation, the company believes this figure should be considered a minimum.

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has praised the efforts of the Government and the Metropolitan Police after law and order was largely restored to the streets of London on Tuesday night. The country was also relieved to see another relatively quiet night last.

The BRC has had conversations with Home Secretary Theresa May and Business Secretary Vince Cable over the past two days and has been pleased to receive assurances that those responsible for the wave of destruction will be punished appropriately.

BRC Stephen Robertson, said: "The response of the Government and police forces across the country to the recent wave of mindless destruction has been encouraging. Sheer police presence seems to have been responsible for a relatively quiet night in London and we hope this pattern will now be replicated across the country."