When the riots first began in England on August 6, the perpetrators seemed to target stores selling trendy international fashion and sports brands, many of them large chains. But once the fires had been extinguished and windows boarded up, it became clearer that many of Britain's smallest retailers, often sole traders, were the true victims of the riots. Together with the scores of people whose homes were set alight, small business owners saw their whole livelihood destroyed in a matter of minutes.

One of the iconic images from the riots was the destruction of the Reeves Furniture Shop in Croydon, south London, a family business that had survived two world wars and five generations. Pictures of flames ripping through the Reeves building were beamed around the world on the night of Monday, August 8.

Since then the shop has become a symbol of British resilience. The owners worked tirelessly to re-open the store in just a few days. Fortunately, they had other premises just meters from where their main shop was burned to the ground.

"We have the second store. It was saved by the fire crews," says owner Trevor Reeves. "It would have been very easy just to board it up and let the insurance people sort it out."

Reeves, whose 80-year-old father Maurice came out of retirement to help in the rebuilding, says they are determined to continue despite concerns about the future.

"Realistically we employ 15 staff, we do still have a shop that we can trade out of, albeit with an awful lot of work to put it back where it was. We do still have stock in the warehouses," explains Reeves, whose store was so well-known in Croydon that a local street and tram stop were named after it.

Retailers torn about future

For many smaller shops, the decision about whether to reopen will not be as easy.

The spot where Reeves furniture store used to stand is now barren

The British economy, which throughout the last 10 years has been powered by consumer spending, is now struggling.Increased rents, business taxes and red tape have forced some companies to think twice before setting up shop again.

I can see this taking three or four months," says Carl Nielson, owner of the Rock Bottom music shop. "It's not an easy thing to do. But we're not ones for giving up." Three weeks after the riots, he was unable to give Deutsche Welle a final figure of the damage they caused.

Officials say they recognize the need to help the smallest retailers the most. In Croydon, that means the independent stores on London Road, away from the main shopping area.

"It was these small shopkeepers, these one-man-bands, who were perhaps not insured because the premiums are so high and the profit margins are low," says Steve O'Connell, local councilor and London Assembly member for Croydon. "They were the hardest hit in terms of looting and smashing of windows."

Financial help

Between the British government, the mayor of London and local councils, businesses can receive more than the equivalent of 75 million euros in help. But critics say they fear it won't go to those retailers who need it most.

O'Connell says the money could help regenerate an already depressed suburb: "If there's any good out of this, it is to shine a light on that area [London Road] and say that this really does need building up and improving."

"Now there's a bit of funding, hopefully this will be to the good of the shopkeepers and residents who have suffered so much," he adds.

Businesses say they are optimistic about reopening

Elsewhere other companies have rallied round the victims. Law firms have offered 'pro-bono' legal advice to small retailers whose stores were damaged.

Following a visit to Croydon and other areas affected by the riots, London Mayor Boris Johnson said he recognized the unique situation many independent shops found themselves in.

"It is clear that there is also room for another fund, particularly to help those small businesses, often with fewer than 10 employees, that have lost custom, lost footfall, lost cash flow and are in need of immediate help," said Johnson.

The mayor should be concerned. With less than a year until the London Olympics open, many commentators say the British capital has a lot of work to do to rebuild its image following the riots. They say the government cash should help ensure the restoration of riot-damaged buildings is completed before next July.

But critics warn that the cash won't go far enough. With the British economy expected to weaken further, the government's opponents say it will take a lot more money to help bring many small retailers back from the brink.

Author: Nik Martin, London

Editor: Nancy Isenson