Carphone Warehouse joins the Standard to save riot-hit shops

Carphone Warehouse today became the latest big business to back the Evening Standard's Save Our Shops appeal in the wake of the riots.

The company pledged to provide support and cash after the Standard called on firms to help small businesses damaged in last week's violence get back on their feet.

It comes as all four of the major high street banks backed the campaign to support independent retailers.

The Royal Bank of Scotland yesterday set up a £10 million relief package including interest-free loans of up to £25,000 for customers directly hit by the looting and vandalism.

Today Lloyds, HSBC and Barclays said they are helping out their customers with similar schemes.

It was reported that 20 Carphone Warehouse stores around the country were damaged or looted during last week's riots. The company, with sister firm Best Buy, says it will do all it can to assist independent retailers.

It will make a "significant cash donation" to local shops in the coming weeks and has said it will provide free help from its technical support agents, known as the geek squad, until the end of the month.

Experts will make personal visits to shops to give owners help with everything from setting up new laptops and wi-fi networks, to backing up data and re-connecting emails. Charles Dunstone, the multi-millionaire founder of the Carphone Warehouse group, told the Standard: "Having once struggled to get a business up and running myself, I know the challenges that small businesses face in London.

"With many still feeling the effects of the economic downturn, the recent riots have been a double-blow for retailers across the capital.

"Ultimately, we at Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy will repair the damage to our own stores because we have the resources to do so but clearly many small businesses do not.

"It's been heartening to see the community come together to support local businesses with pride. I hope our pledge to support this fightback will bring help to those that need it most."