The people behind the scheme are trying to make sure no stores targeted during the unrest are forced to close.

The website, delootlondon.co.uk, said: “While a small number of people did the damage, we can all help our local, independent businesses recover by spending our money with them.”

The organisers have also mapped some of the businesses that were affected to help potential customers find where they are, and they hope to feature as many shops as possible.

Among the firms included is family-run business House of Reeves furniture, which was founded in 1867.

One of its two shops was destroyed in a fire during unrest in Croydon last week.

The website is encouraging people to visit their other store at a location nearby.

Delootlondon.co.uk said: “Support the shop by: Heading straight to them for your furniture.”

Graham Reeves, the company’s director, told Sky News Online that it was an “excellent idea”.

He said: “It’s fantastic to have everyone’s support. You’re not going to get lots more employment if you burn the shops down.”

Chris King, who helped set up the website, said he has had a “great” response to the scheme.

He told Sky News Online that during the unrest “there was a disproportionate effect on independent shops” and he felt it was “hugely unfair that these shops were damaged”.

He added: “These businesses meant a lot to the communities they served.”

Mr King said: “We’ve had emails from people recommending shops. They are coming in as fast as we can upload them.”

Stores are featured from north, south, east and west London.

In Ealing, west London, the businesses include Farm W5 Organic Food Market, the Carpet and Flooring Centre, and Flower Haven.

via Orange UK.

The site was designed with the latest technology HTML5 and features a Galaxy 3D animated and interactive, where users can explore using the mouse.

Some videos were uploaded where Bjork explains the experience of this new material, while the site will be updated with new music.

In June, the Icelander artist will present Biophilia with a series of shows beginning on day 30.

via M24 Digital.

The video-on-demand service currently attracts around two million users a month.

Tesco plans to set up systems which combine the purchase of physical products with the use of online services.

“We can link physical purchase of a product to the building of digital collections in a new and seamless way,” Tesco’s UK head, Richard Brasher, said.

“We want to allow them to decide how they access entertainment content and on which devices, whether it’s on PC, TV or tablet.

“Working with the Blinkbox team and our content partners, we will bring these compelling propositions to life for our customers.”

The site, which launched in April 2008, gives members access to over 9,000 films and TV series via their PC, Mac, games console or other internet-enabled devices.

Customers can either pay for premium feature titles, or view ad-supported content for free.

“It’s a hugely exciting time,” said Blinkbox chief executive Michael Cornish, a former senior executive at Channel 4.

“This partnership represents another step forward, bringing the leading movie streaming service together with the UK’s biggest retailer.”

Tesco purchased its controlling stake in Blinkbox from Eden Ventures and Nordic Venture Partners.

In a joint statement, they said: “We congratulate Tesco on the acquisition of Blinkbox and are excited to be following the continued growth of the business under Tesco.”

The BBC understands that there are currently no plans to relaunch Blinkbox as a Tesco brand.

The pair will face competition from the likes of LoveFilm, part of online retailer Amazon, which has around 1.5 million members.

Dan Cryan, head of broadband at analyst IHS Screen Digest, believes this is the first of several moves by Tesco to shift to providing a wider range of digital services in the future.

“Tesco have acquired a tried and tested platform for the delivery of movies.

“Their aim is to try and, at least in a short term, tie it into a physical product with a view to making sure they have a foot in the door when everything goes digital.”

“It’s a pre-emptive move on the part of Tesco to make sure they’re still at the table.

“I think it’s the first of a number of digital initiatives you’ll hear from them within the year.”

via BBC News.

The website allowed subscribers to stream music for a monthly fee (£4.99) and buy albums and singles to download, but in a statement, a Sky spokesman said the venture “wasn’t working out”.

“We just didn’t see the consumer demand we’d hoped for,” he continued.

The site will remain open until February 2011, but subscribers will not be charged any more monthly fees.

The demand for music download and streaming sites is high, with companies like iTunes and Spotify attracting huge numbers of users.

It’s thought Sky Songs managed to attract fewer than 10,000 subscribers despite signing deals with all the major record labels.

A letter to customers Sky said it would automatically cancel any subscriptions, though the library of tracks on the site may change as the shutdown approaches.

The letter said: “Although we’ve created what we believe to be a really innovative and good value digital music service, regrettably we’ve not been able to reach a large enough customer base in order for the service to continue.

“Please be reassured that any tracks you have previously downloaded using the service remain yours to keep and are not affected by the service’s closure.

“These will remain in your music library and on any devices, such as your iPod or MP3 player, to which you have transferred music files.”

via BBC – Newsbeat – Sky to close music download site.

Tomorrow there will be some articles about me in the newspapers because I have been doing some important interviews today. I wanted you to know that the articles are true. I also wanted you to know that I really respect your loyal support and all the kind messages I have had from you up to this date.

I have always been a very honest person and so it is important for me to continue to be honest. It has been the most amazing year so far and I feel so privileged. It’s also been a time of real self realisation and I feel as if I have grown up so much in these few months.

There has been speculation about my sexuality in the past and I have always been honest at the time I have been asked. Over the past few weeks I have really had time to reflect and to realise who I am. I spoke to my friends and family about this in the last few days and it was important to do the same for you all as you have been so supportive.

I have had nothing but support from you and many of you have been very open in saying that you will continue to support me whatever my sexuality. It is important to me to let you know first, so that you know the stories in the papers are true. I made the choice to speak openly about this.

Again, I can’t thank you enough for all your support.

Everything is going well and I’m really happy to be able to move forward from here

Joe. x

via Joe McElderry Official Website.