A month after many Clapham Junction shops were damaged or looted, most are trading again - but the impact of that night of madness continues to be felt in so many ways, says Jamie Trueman, who spoke to shopkeepers last week.

The majority of shops re-opened in the days immediately after the riots but those that suffered more serious damage have only just been able to open their doors.

And some have still not started trading again with Currys, the 3 Store and Subway remaining closed. But despite having to spend thousands repairing their properties and replacing stolen stock, the traders are doing all they can to get life back to normal.

Trish Wardle, area manager of Headmasters, which was seen on live television being broken into, reopened one half of the salon on September 1, more than three weeks after it was ransacked.

But on their first day of opening, the signs were good after the phone never stopped ringing.

She said: "The whole of the shopfront was lost and the floor was damaged as we had a glass sculpture which they smashed.

"Thousands of pounds of electrical goods were stolen and products were stolen too. They broke into lockers and took money.

"The impact has been massive for the staff and huge for our clients, and as a young salon it has had an impact as we have been closed for three and a half weeks and we are a busy salon.

"But people are really positive and the support that we have had has been phenomenal. The customers are coming back and that is the most important thing."

George Cox, co-owner of The Lock Centre, lost thousands of pounds of stock in the riots and is still counting the cost.

He said: "The custom is not what it was. We have only just got the new glass in so people thought we were closed. We had to pay the VAT on that and spent £1,000 on the floor. It adds up.

"A lot of the stock that was stolen is stuff that is sold once or twice a year. I cannot afford to replace it all as it is a big, big outlay."

Rasiah Kugan, director of Partridges Stationers said: "It has been very quiet. It was difficult before, but after what has happened, it has made business go down. Takings have gone down by about 50 per cent.

"We had the shutters damaged and had to pay £3,000 for new ones. We were closed for three days after and had to pay the staff."

Tavi Marok, manager at Wimpy, Lavender Hill, said: "Things were smashed and obviously the business was closed for two or three days.

"We are just trying to be as normal as possible. It will take time to get back to what it was."

Adrian Thompson, manager of JD Sports, re-opened the store a week after the riots.

He said: "We had smashed windows, stock went missing, damaged fixtures and fittings, our tills were smashed and there was lots of broken glass everywhere.

"Obviously we were closed for a week and lost trade. We got rid of all the soiled stock and had to order new stock which takes time.

"Business is back to normal- we had a promotion last week where we were giving out £50 gift vouchers. It was quite lively and brought a bit of buzz back.

"Trade is coming back to the area and I think it is getting back on its feet. The unity was just great and quite special."

Ulrika Warner director of the Cornerstone Christian bookshop in Lavender Hill has seen business grow after the riots.

She said: "The Lord protected us- not one single book or bible has been touched.

"Someone started a fire here but he was convicted of having done wrong and came back to put it out.

"Business has increased as people have bought more bibles than usual."

Emmanuel, a worker at Ladbrokes bookmakers in Lavender Hill, said: "After the riots on the 8th it took us until the 20th to re-open. It did affect trade at first but now we're back to normal. The riots have been damaging but a lot of people have come together and we're getting on with it."

Ceren Brackston, manager of Scope charity shop, St John's Road, said: "Our windows were smashed and carpet was damaged but nothing was looted. When we opened the door after the initial riots people were waiting to help us clear up. There has been huge public support. We stayed closed for two weeks because we were scared that we would be attacked again."

• What do you think? Let us know by emailing imason@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave a comment below.