OCTOBER marks a month-long campaign aimed at boosting Birmingham’s ailing high streets in the wake of August’s riots. Here, Consumer Editor Emma McKinney talks to shopkeepers caught up in the heart of the troubles and finds out how shoppers could support their businesses.

AUGUST 10 is a date that will be etched forever in many people’s memories.

For it marked a violent end to several days of shameless rioting in Birmingham and the day which claimed the lives of three men – Haroon Jahan, aged 20, Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31.

The trio were reportedly protecting shops from looters when they were mown down and killed by a car in Dudley Road, Winson Green.

As rumours spread that the men’s deaths could spark revenge attacks and racial unrest, Haroon’s heartbroken father, Tariq Jahan, successfully called for calm, urging the community to stand together united.

But Winson Green is a suburb still struggling to recover in the aftermath of the riots, which have left both emotional and economic scars.

“During the riots we had to shut-up shop early and, even though our business wasn’t directly hit by looters, we were left counting the costs,” says Mohammed Altaf, co-owner of Sharif M & Sons furniture store in Dudley Road, Winson Green.

“When the three men died, everyone was so shocked and scared about going back into the community.

“It didn’t help that we have many customers that come from all over the city and the country to our store. They told us they were too afraid to come to Winson Green after what had happened.

“Business is slowly building back up again, but I think it will be some time before the community recovers from what happened.”

Mr Altaf welcomed Birmingham City Council’s People Make Places campaign, aimed at providing a much-needed shot-in-the-arm for businesses left struggling following the riots.

The campaign sees independent shops, restaurants, cafes and bars offering special deals and discounts throughout October in a bid to entice shoppers.

Every resident in Birmingham can get a free B Card, which they use to take advantage of the offers. All those firms taking part have “Backing Birmingham” posters in their windows.

Mr Altaf says: “I think it’s great that something like this is being done. Now is a time that we should be supporting each other.

“Local businesses are the heart of communities.

“We’ve been here for 30 years, and we hope that shoppers will help us to continue to survive through hard times like the riots and the recession.”

Businesses across Birmingham have signed up to the initiative, including shops in the city centre, Small Heath, Acocks Green, Northfield, Erdington, Alum Rock, Lozells, Aston, Perry Barr, and Selly Oak.

Here, the Birmingham Mail looks at what’s on offer in Winson Green, Handsworth, and Yardley.

Handsworth

THANKS to it being the home to people from a wide range of cultures, Handsworth is packed full of diverse independent retailers – from Halal butchers to Polish delis and Asian sweet shops.

“Handsworth’s an area that pulses with life, atmosphere, energy and community spirit,” says a People Make Places spokeswoman.

“There are fashion stores, Asian jewellers, cafés and a world of freshly prepared fast food options, all topped off with friendly welcomes, lively conversations, music and laughter everywhere you go.”

Chandrakhant Cavda, manager of ladies’ fashion and household goods store Milans in Soho Road, adds: “I moved here 20 years ago and Handsworth had a pretty appalling reputation, but through various schemes over the years it has gradually changed beyond recognition.

“Unfortunately, thanks to the riots, the people have begun thinking of Handsworth in the same negative way as they used to decades ago. That’s why I welcome this initiative and urge people back to our community.”

* TOP B CARD OFFERS: 20 per cent off

A K Motors in Malvern Road; five per cent of electrical equipment at Matrix Sat in Rookery Road; free local deliveries when you spend £15 or more at Village Pet Stores and Florists in College Road.