London riots: Walthamstow businesses react in protest aftermath

Waltham Forest was one of several London boroughs named on an alleged list of riot targets that was shared to social media earlier this week. 

It prompted a huge response from the Metropolitan Police and peaceful protesters, with an estimated 10,000 turning up in Walthamstow on Wednesday (August 7). 

The Met enforced a dispersal order and were granted additional stop and search powers under a Section 60 order whilst people were warned away from the area.

Shops were boarded over ahead of a feared riot which never happened (Image: Olivia Carter) In particular, people were told to avoid Walthamstow Central Station from Selborne Road, and Hoe Street from Queens Road to Church Hill.

Ilirjan Sheqja was in charge of boarding a retail space in Hoe Street on the day of the rumoured riot and returned yesterday morning to take it down.

Speaking on Thursday (August 8), he told this paper it was the first time he had been asked to board for anything of this nature, and that he was not surprised by the many thousands of people who attended the protest. 

Ilirjan said: "I would have expected that, I would have expected that from the whole country really.

Ilirjan said the community came together (Image: Olivia Carter) "Just tells us who we are, who we truly are - human. Live and let live. Last night showed it as a spirit, as a community coming together. 

"They did make it stronger, they made it (the community) come together more than anything. 

"It's hard as it is at the moment. The last thing you want is people to start fighting each other in the roads. The best way is to get your head down, try and bring some stability to the country."

Nies Tea, a worker at Nisa Local in Hoe Street, told of how they closed early as a precaution. 

The store is usually open until 3am everyday but the threat of unrest saw them close at 12pm on Wednesday.

The town has resumed its normal trading (Image: Olivia Carter) Nies said: "It was horrible. We're happy today because yesterday the people were worried that something would happen with their businesses.

"They put wooden covers (boarding) to cover the glass and everything. 

"Yesterday we felt like it would be horrible but they have done a peaceful protest. 

"We feel safe (with the peaceful protest)."

Abdul Razzaq, a fruit and vegetable stall holder in High Street didn't even open his stall on Wednesday as a result. 

Abdul Razzaq didn't set up his stall in High Street on the day of the feared riot (Image: Olivia Carter) READ MORE: Businesses begin to take down boarding and reopen after feared riots don't happen

He said: "I saw it on social media, and the council informed us. 

"When you see rumours around you, for people it's a little bit scary, but we are not (scared). 

"You see on social media how much the community gathered here yesterday you know."