London riots: Southwark News offers ads to looted shops

The Southwark News in south London is offering all local businesses damaged by this week’s riots a free full-colour advert in the paper.

The Bermondsey-based weekly newspaper is also including a full-page poster in today’s edition urging readers to buy local.

The free advert offer is said to be worth £140 plus VAT.

Peckham, East Dulwich and the Walworth Road areas of Southwark were all affected by riots this week and, according to the Southwark News, some 50 local businesses were looted.

Southwark News joint managing director Chris Mullany said: ‘We have all been shocked by the wanton violence and destruction that has taken place on our streets over these past few days.

‘And as a local, independent business ourselves, we understand just how hard it is for businesses at the moment, given the current economic climate.

“For many small businesses, having to shut up shop for even a few days can mean the difference between profit and loss – and in some cases even threaten their very survival. This is our small way of trying to help local businesses recover from these appalling events.”

An extra 1,000 copies of The Southwark News will be hand delivered to local shops today.

The free ad offer is also being extended to Southwark News’ fortnightly free Lambeth Weekender title which has a circulation of 40,000 across the borough.