Regional business groups are warning that retail hotspots could become "ghost towns" as violence and looting spread across the country.

Regional business groups are warning that retail hotspots could become "ghost towns" as violence and looting spread across the country.


Miss Selfridge in central Manchester was set on fire
Shops in cities including Manchester, Nottingham, Liverpool and Birmingham were targeted on Tuesday night causing damage that will "cost millions" to repair.
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) said the violence would severely hit business in the city.
"Repairs, stock replacement and lost trading time is going to costs millions of pounds and have a huge impact on takings," Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive of the chamber, said.
But he stressed it is not just immediate costs that will hit businesses.

Looters run from police in Manchester
"This isn't a case of a few smashed windows – there will be severe knock-on effects," he added.
"There's the potential Manchester could become a ghost town, with shoppers scared of coming into the centre because they fear a repetition of violence."
Both independent shops and chain stores were affected by Tuesday's violence.

Shops in Croydon closed early on Tuesday in anticipation of further violence
Miss Selfridge in central Manchester was set on fire causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, and the city's Arndale shopping centre was broken into.
Elsewhere, rioters damaged premises including a McDonald's and the entrance to the Pyramid shopping centre in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
Looters also targeted electrical and jewellery shops in Birmingham, and vandalised shops in the Bullring and Mailbox shopping centres.
GMCC urged any businesses affected by the disturbances to contact the police and insurance companies as soon as possible.