Birmingham’s central business district, Brockton Capital’s The Mailbox and the Birmingham Alliance’s Bullring shopping centre were the focus of copycat riots rampaging through the city last night.
Gary Cardin, chairman of the Colmore District BID, called last night’s violence “senseless, criminal damage.”
He said a clean-up operation was well under way this morning.
Cardin added: “Retail units within the CBD were worst hit, no offices were damaged. There was an emergency planning meeting last night and with the Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police this morning. People are out assessing the damage now.”
Tensions between police and gangs of teenagers started just after 6pm at the entrance to the Pallasades shopping centre. This prompted Hammerson to close the neighbouring Bullring early at 7pm.
Violence spilled into the retail pitches of New Street down Corporation Street, then around Birmingham Cathedral as well as the city’s prime office pitch of Colmore Row, Edmund Street and Church Street.
Louis Vuitton, Austin Reed, Maplin, the Orange store, T-Mobile, camera store Jessops and McDonald’s all had their windows smashed and were looted.
Crowds of gangs then made their way to upmarket shopping mall The Mailbox, home of Harvey Nichols, the BBC and the Malmaison hotel.
Around 200 youths brandishing “swords and concrete blocks,” attacked the scheme, said Harvey Nichols store manager Kevin Breese.
Hugo Boss and Armani stores were looted, while staff at the BBC’s Mailbox studios were locked in for their own safety throughout the night.
Cllr Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of Birmingham city council, said: “The city council will be making every effort possible from first light to clear up any damage and bring normality back to the city as soon as possible. To this end we wouldd stress to retailers, workers and shoppers alike that the city remains very much open for business, and would encourage them to come in as normal.”
To access all EGi news stories and commercial property data sign up for a free trial today, or visit the subscription options page to find out more.
