Trade at UK wholesale markets has been hit severely by the rioting and looting gripping some of the nation’s largest cities, UK industry weekly Fresh Produce Journal has reported.
Birmingham’sPershore Street market, situated near some of the city’s worst flashpoints, closed its gates for two hours from midnight on Monday 8 August, while trade at east London-based New Spitalfields market has been affected by a substantial downturn in custom from street traders.
Spitalfields Market Tenants' Association chief executive Janet Hutchinson told FPJ: 'The market is very quiet and there’s a nervous atmosphere. It puts intoperspective how much of our trade is from the retail market traders.'
Supermarkets have also been hit hard, with numerous reports of looting and vandalism on individual stores.
Aldi, Sainsbury's and Tesco were affected and large numbers of stores closed early on Monday night.
Sainsbury's said: 'As of 2pm we have closed over a dozen stores. We are closely monitoring the situation as it is changing constantly and are taking advice from the police.'
