Businesses have boarded up, closed or plan to close early amid fears about potential violence as more than 100 far-right rallies across England were planned for Wednesday night.
Employers across the country also told employees who felt vulnerable that they could work from home.
In Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter district, some businesses closed early on Wednesday or were boarded up before the expected disorder. “It’s very eerie out there,” one user said on X. Shops and restaurants in Bristol were also seen covering windows and doors close to the offices of immigration lawyers in the Old Market area.
In Finchley, north London, some shops along the High Road had shut. Foxtons North Finchley estate agents closed “due to the situation in London” and the “potential violence” that could result from the planned rallies, said a worker from the head office reception.
The company had also closed other premises in north London – in Walthamstow and Harrow – as well as south London in Croydon, all areas with immigration law and advice centres listed as targets.
Many businesses in Middlesbrough’s town centre also closed early on Wednesday. Cleveland police said it was “aware there is growing speculation about potential further disorder in Middlesbrough and Redcar”.
Several businesses in the centre of Aldershot, Hampshire, were boarded up on Wednesday evening. Some shops had notes on their windows saying they had closed early, while others warned potential rioters that they had video recording equipment.
Violence so far has largely targeted mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, libraries and shops.
Saira Hussain, who runs HAD, an architectural practice with offices in Manchester, Burnley, Blackburn and north London, said a shop near her Mancunian office recently had its windows smashed and that neighbouring businesses had had their shutters down since the start of the week.
“August is our busiest time of year usually,” she told PA Media, adding that the area had been a “ghost town” since Monday.
“I bet I’ve contributed much more to this country than any of these people that are causing trouble,” she added. “It would be nice to live and work in peace.”
An office manager at an immigration advisory service in the East Midlands said he felt “very, very scared and very upset” over the threats his workplace had received and that surrounding businesses felt the same.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Around this area, all of the shops that are next to us, they’re very scared as well.”
In Essex, small businesses in Westcliff-on-Sea boarded up their shopfronts before planned action nearby and said police had been visiting local stores to offer their support and advice on precautions they could take.
One X user posted a screenshot of a text from their manager that said people who did not feel safe to come in should work from home. They captioned the post: “The fact that my manager even has to send this message in 2024 is so disheartening.”
The manager’s message said: “If any of you feel particularly vulnerable with the current disturbances across the UK, it is fine to work from home tomorrow until this ridiculous situation goes away.”
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Many retail workers have been heading to work fearing their stores and their safety could be compromised by the looting and vandalism that has taken grip in various parts of the country.
“The full force of the law should be brought to bear on those individuals who are committing criminal damage and theft against retailers and the communities they are part of.”
Martin McTague, the national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said small businesses had found themselves “on the frontline” of recent public disorder and violence and that many had helped to clean up their streets afterwards.
“Local small business success rests on local support, in welcoming environments where people want to be. The images of the last few days are the opposite, and it must stop,” he said.
Sarah Sackman, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, posted a statement on X earlier this week after a service helping immigrants in Finchley was included in the list of targets.
She said: “A service helping immigrants in Finchley has been included in a list of targets of far-right groups planning actions this week. This is disgusting.
“We will not let the far right divide us. Our hope will conquer their hate. Those who perpetuate violence and hate will face the full force of the law.”
