A riot-torn music store was packed to the rafters as it welcomed rockers Whitesnake to its reopening.

Guitarist Doug Aldrich, bassist Michael Devin and drummer Brian Tichy, in true rock star style, kept the fans waiting rolling up almost an hour late before exchanging jokes with Rockbottom owner Carl Nielsen outside the London Road store.

The shop was completely gutted during the August disturbance, with Mr Nielsen, 60, estimating he lost £500,000 in stock, damage and loss of earnings.

He said: “A lot of people have been very helpful and we have had a lot of support but the past nine months has been very tough.

He explained how he was in the store with his teenage son when thugs smashed the windows, tore away the shutters and stormed the shop.

He said: “I was holding a mike stand trying to fend them off but there were about twenty of them. It was terrifying. The vision is still with me, and my son won’t even enter Croydon.”

Despite the trauma he has rebuilt the business, and is hoping to invited a second special guest at the official re-opening on Saturday March 31.

The Whitesnake members were due to perform at Fairfield Halls at 9.30pm on Wednesday March 28, but arrived early as part of the store reopening.

Doug said: “Welcome everyone. Thank you for having us, thank you for coming out and supporting Rockbottom and...buy some stuff.”

The three stayed signing autographs for fans until about 7pm Arlette Joy and her eight year-old daughter Marie-Guilaine, from Caterham, were one of the first in the queue to meet the band.

She said: “I admit Marie-Guilaine doesn’t know about Whitesnake but she’s already into rock. We’ve off to see them later tonight as well.”