Looters storm GAME and HMV in North London

Both GAME and HMV were amongst the dozens of retailers attacked as part of the widespread rioting that hit parts of North London this weekend.

On Saturday night there was major disruption in Tottenham, with violence spreading as far as Wood Green.

As part of that attack the GAME outlet based in Wood Green’s Shopping City complex was looted, with its front window smashed. A GAME spokesperson has told MCV that it will be refitted this morning and should open its doors to the public by lunchtime today.

Enfield’s Gamestation, which is located right in the middle of last night’s troubles, amazingly escaped unscathed, most likely as it was positioned very close to the riot police’s western blockade. GAME Enfield is also OK, though is currently closed due to restrictions to the Palace Gardens Shopping Centre.

HMV’s Enfield outlet was less fortunate, however. It was the first store to be looted as part of last night’s riot, with the guard barrier dragged off its hinges. Much of its stock was stolen and several displays were trashed.

The retailers’s Wood Green outlet, which is also located in Shopping City, was also looted.

"HMV can confirm that its stores in Wood Green (Shopping City) and Enfield (Church Street) were among the local businesses affected by the incidents that took place in North London over the weekend,” a spokesperson told MCV.

The stores were both closed at the time and no members of staff were harmed. HMV has now secured both sites and is currently assessing the full extent of the damage to fixtures and fittings as well as the level of stock loss, which appears to be extensive.

Whilst its on-site teams are working hard to normalise matters as quickly as possible, it is likely that it will take a number of days before the stores are in a position to re-open."