After a fourth night of rioting in the UK, with trouble spreading further north, reaching Manchester and Salford, retailers continue to count the cost of the damage.
The British Retail Consortium is seeking urgent action over what it describes as "lawless streets" and has met with Home Secretary Theresa May to raise concerns and gain reassurances that the issues thrown up by the disturbances are addressed.

The organisation is pushing for intelligence-led information to help retailers protect their properties, as well as reassurance that those responsible for the vandalism and theft will be suitably punished.

Reports have suggested that the unrest across the UK could cost retail businesses "at the very least tens of millions of pounds" as a result of the criminal damage to property, looting and loss of business over the past few days. It is likely that some businesses will never open their doors again.

Some of the areas of London worst affected by the recent disturbances were relieved to report a quiet night last night. Vin Vara, director of independent DIY and home chain The Tool Shop described his experiences. Luckily, Mr Vara's shops, which are located across London in Queensway, Waterloo, Victoria, Baker Street, Marylebone and Kennington were relatively unaffected by the violence over the past week.

The window of one of his Queensway shops was smashed but, thankfully, because it was made of tempered glass, would-be looters were unable to gain access. Surrounding shops however, weren't so lucky. "The shops either side of ours were looted. Jessops near our two Victoria shops was cleaned out, as was Maplins near another of our branches and a jewellery shop near our Waterloo store. We've already started an emergency fund for the retailers affected and I've put in money to help."

The costs for retail business trying to protect their property are mounting up, with Mr Vara quoted £8,000 to board up another shop in Queensway. The Tool Shop and other retailers in Waterloo were yesterday issued with a list of precautions to take, including ensuring CCTV was working and removing high value goods from display in the windows.

Mr Vara added: "Most high street look like ghost towns, retailers are at panic stations on what is going to happen next. Their livelihoods are at stake here.

Mr Vara is appalled at the damage done to high streets, which are already struggling across the UK. "This does not help the high street retail industry. We are going through a lot at present with the economic climate and this doesn't help at all."

Other businesses are suffering due to lack of trade in the aftermath of the riots in and around London. Many businesses in areas, such as Croydon and Birmingham were forced to close early yesterday for security reasons.