'Beautifying' shop shutters after riots

In the aftermath of last year's summer riots, shopkeepers have been calling for more flexibility in planning regulations to install security shutters to protect premises. And one parade of shops has decided to decorate their grey shutters with images designed to be a feature as well as actively discourage anti-social behaviour.

Zaffar Awan, who owns a phone shop in Woolwich, South London, told the Today programme's reporter Nicola Stanbridge that he thinks when people see a better image outside, "it does put them in a very good mood".

Adam Leyland, editor of the Grocer magazine, believes there is an opportunity for "beautification" in this way. "A grey image shutter is stark and Soviet... and doesn't do anything to create a sense of community," he said.

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