The long-standing bookstore is the latest gay business to have
been affected by the troubles - and now fears it could be a target
for a second attack.
It comes after DIVA reported that Peccadillo Pictures lost
virtually all of its stock during a warehouse blaze in Enfield,
last night.
Now, Gay's The Word - which was opened in 1979 and is situated on
Marchmont street near Russel Square tube - suffered a smashed shop
window as crowds caused devastation throughout the capital. The
venue was also pelted with eggs, causing considerable stock
damage.
The incident happened at 12.35am on Monday morning. Witnesses are
said to have seen a gang of adolescents on a "rampage" along the
street where the shop is situated. Initially, they are said to have
thrown eggs before returning with a bottle and rock.
Speaking to DIVA, Assistant Manager Uli Lenart said: "Our
impression is that there are certain people who have an issue with
a visible gay business and are using the excuse of chaos to cause
anti-gay damage."
Yet, although the window has now been replaced at an estimated
cost of £1,300, staff are now concerned that a second wave of
attacks will hit the store.
"Thankfully, there has been no looting, which we are grateful for,
but we've since been told that rioters are planning on returning to
Marchmont Street and continuing their attacks," he said.
"A local man came in and said that people are planning on coming
back to the store. Now we feel like we're waiting for something to
happen. We are only a small bookstore and don't have facilities
such as CCTV, so are naturally concerned."
Police are currently investigating the attack, but are naturally
under font-line pressures to control the attacks.
Rioters have been destroying and looting businesses for three days
across the capital.
Initially localised in and around Tottenham, the incidents have
since sparked other riots in Camden, Croydon, Liverpool and
Birmingham.
