Boris makes impromptu visit to riot-hit businesses (From Your Local Guardian)

Boris makes impromptu visit to riot-hit businesses

2:23pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Croydon Exclusive By Peter Truman

London road traders had a surprise visit from London Mayor Boris Johnson as he surveyed the street six months after the riots.

Mr Johnson was in town to mark the launch of new trams for Croydon but made the trip after being challenged by the Croydon Guardian.

We revealed last week how Pret-a-Manger founder Julian Metcalfe had been appointed in October by the Mayor to spearhead a regeneration taskforce in Croydon but had not been involved since.

When put to Mr Johnson how London Road traders, who have not enjoyed the same level of publicity as nearby House of Reeves, were feeling let down he decided to take a visit.

He visited music store Rock Bottom, which has still not reopened since the unrest in August when it was broken into, torched and its guitars smashed in the street.

Figures last week showed nine out of 10 riot victims across the capital were still without compensation There have been 320 payments totalling £1.6m, but that only represents about 14 per cent of those affected.

The Mayor said he was aware of the problem and had written to the Home Office to try and speed up the process.

He added Mr Metcalfe had been told his skills would be used later on but that he was “very keen” to help.

Mr Johnson said: “He is a business leader who had shown with high levels of customer service you can transform a business and we want to bring his expertise to Croydon.”