Hard times: Allders is struggling to survive – and has not been helped since the riots, according to Harold Tillman

Croydon Council “has not done what they should have done” for local businesses since last August’s riots, according to the fashion entrepreneur who has a major share-holding in Allders, the town’s 150-year-old department store which could be just days away from going into financial administration.

Harold Tillman, who was made a CBE in 2010 for his services to the fashion industry, has criticised Croydon Council and the government for their lack of action and help for shop-owners in the past 10 months.

“The business has not recovered since the riots,” Tillman is quoted in today’s Evening Standard.

“Unfortunately, nothing has been done by government or the council to help.

“It appears many businesses have not got compensation at all.

“Croydon Council has not done what they should have done.”

Tillman took Allders out of administration seven years ago, and recently restructured his ownership to reduce his holding to 35 per cent of the store. He told the Standard that he made his decision to sell the substantial part of his holding in Allders because of “the devastating effect” of the riots.

With visitors to the town’s shopping centres down, while the area is shackled by high car park charges, inevitably Allders’ takings are also down, the store’s income now so reduced that they are seeking a “rent holiday” from their landlords.

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