The air hangs heavy with the echoes of a tumultuous past as Trevor Reeves gazes out of his furniture shop window, the aftermath of a night etched forever in his memory. Across the road, at what is still known as Reeves Corner, a solitary furniture van stands, a stark reminder of what was once a thriving family business.
This was the site of the iconic House of Reeves, a local landmark since the 1950s, a three-storey building with a distinctive domed roof. On August 8, 2011, the store became a symbol of the rioting, looting, and arson that engulfed London in a summer of unrest. Images of the blaze, flames licking at the elegant façade, captured the nation’s attention, a harrowing testament to the chaos that gripped the city.
The memory of that night remains vivid for Trevor, a poignant mixture of disbelief and despair. He received a call that evening, alerting him to the mayhem unfolding at his family’s store. “I grabbed a golf club and rushed down there,” he recounts, his voice tinged with emotion. “But there was a mob outside, a sea of faces, and all I could do was stand with my brother and watch as our life’s work was destroyed.”
The initial shock of broken windows and stolen goods paled in comparison to the sight of flames engulfing the beloved building. “It was like watching a dream become a nightmare,” he says, his voice cracking. “It felt like the very essence of our family’s history was being consumed by the fire.”
As the flames danced higher, Trevor found himself on live television, the burning building a stark backdrop to his interview. “It was surreal,” he says, the memory still haunting him. The news of the fire reached his father, Maurice, who had retired years earlier. “He cried,” Trevor says, his voice softening. “He was a tough man, but the sight of his legacy consumed by flames broke his heart.”
Gordon Thompson, a resident of the area, was convicted of starting the fire and sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison. “He threw a lighter onto a sofa,” Trevor explains, a hint of irony in his voice. “We used flame-resistant foam, but it couldn’t stop that inferno.”
The fire’s intensity was such that it even damaged the tramlines outside the store. “I lived there, played there, worked there,” Trevor says, the weight of loss evident in his voice. “It was like losing a part of myself.”
The Aftermath: Resilience and the Long Road to Recovery
While the physical damage could be repaired, the emotional scars ran deep. Trevor sought to understand the motivations of those who had participated in the riots. He met with some of those convicted, hoping to find some sense of closure.
“They were led astray, but there were teachers and professionals involved,” he reflects. “They said they couldn’t understand their actions that night, that it was like a drug, driving them to loot and destroy.”
The aftermath of the fire brought forth an outpouring of community support. “People were incredible,” Trevor says, his voice filled with gratitude. “The police worked tirelessly to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The Reeves family, determined to rebuild, faced an uphill battle. The insurance process was protracted, and the government’s compensation scheme for riot-related losses took nearly two years to provide reimbursement. The family, however, refused to surrender. “We couldn’t simply close our doors,” Trevor says. “It was in our blood, in our soul. We had to carry on.”
Maurice, despite his advanced age, donned his pinstriped suit and took charge of media interactions. Trevor and Graham, meanwhile, navigated the daunting task of rebuilding their business. They started making deliveries the very next day, their furniture vans carrying the message of resilience and defiance.
“I imagine the faces of our customers,” Trevor says, a smile playing on his lips. “Watching the news one night and then opening their doors to see our van the next morning, a symbol of our determination to carry on.”
The Shadow of the Past: A Future Uncertain
The rebuilding process was grueling, taking a heavy toll on both Trevor and Graham. “It’s like we lost five years of our lives,” Trevor confesses. “The effort, the stress, it has left its mark.”
The family’s fight for survival was met with both admiration and support from the community. A local customer, from the Windrush generation, presented them with a hand-made embroidery of the store, a poignant tribute to the family’s history. Customers travelled from afar to show their solidarity, their purchases a symbol of their unwavering support.
Despite their perseverance, the future remains uncertain. The redevelopment plans for the area have been stalled, leaving a sense of stagnation and disappointment. Promises of a new shopping centre, where a new House of Reeves could thrive, have faded into the background.
Trevor, now in his mid-60s, contemplates the future. “My children have their own careers,” he says, a hint of sadness in his voice. “Without a clear path forward, it’s hard to imagine them carrying on the family legacy.”
The riots of 2011 left an indelible mark on Trevor Reeves and the House of Reeves. While the physical structure has been rebuilt, the scars of that night remain. The future is uncertain, but the spirit of resilience and determination that carried the family through those dark days continues to burn bright.
