Boris Johnson today encouraged Londoners to support high street businesses as he announced a £50 million regeneration fund to rebuild areas damaged by the riots.
The Mayor visited shopkeepers in Enfield to announce the fund, which will be put into long-term projects to rejuvenate areas that were subjected to the worst violence seen on London's streets for 25 years.
The regeneration plans will be developed with communities and councils and contracts for the work will go to as many local businesses and employ as many local people as possible. A source close to the Mayor said: "Boris want to make sure high streets in London are vibrant places that people can be proud of. He will put everything behind this. It is extremely important to him."
Mr Johnson said: "We have always recognised the importance of improving London's town centres and clearly after the destruction caused by the recent events across the city this is a bigger challenge than ever.
"That is why I am allocating £50 million to ensure that these areas are regenerated quickly and transformed into safe, attractive, vibrant and economically successful places to live, work and invest in."
