Shop owners upbeat despite ‘devastating’ break-in

HomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersShop owners upbeat despite 'devastating' break-in13 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDavid PittamNottinghamBBCThe couple said the community response to the break-in had given them a liftA shop owner has said she felt like closing down for good after a break-in, but the "amazing" community response reminded her why it was still worth staying open.

The front door of Mansfield Shoe Repairs, in Nottinghamshire, was smashed early on Tuesday morning before hundreds of pounds worth of stock was taken.

Carey Robertson, who runs the business with her husband Scott, said the "devastation" of seeing the break-in left her feeling this might be the time to close after 23 years.

But her emotional post that morning on Facebook reached thousands of people, and she said messages of support and visitors to the shop had been pouring in ever since, convincing her the community remained strong.

Robertson, 56, said the raid had left her feeling "heartbroken, basically".

"When it first happened, I actually said to my husband 'what's the point?'," she said.

"I just feel like locking the door and not opening it again… we've invested so much time and money into the town and they just come and take what they want."

She said it was the third time they had been broken into, and brawlers had also previously broken the window of their shop in a fight.

This time about 24 Zippo lighters were taken, which can range from £40 to £70 in price – although she said the resale value for the thieves would be much less.

She said these break-ins had all happened over the past eight years, and it was getting harder to run a business in Mansfield – which she felt was true of many towns.

She put up a Facebook post, admitting she wanted to vent, saying she had "had enough".

About 2,000 people reacted to it with hundreds of commenters sharing their own concerns about anti-social behaviour and offering their sympathy.

She said people had also been dropping in to the shop to offer their support, including donations, and a local business was going to replace their smashed-in door for free.

"I expected a few comments from friends and customers, but it just went mad," she said. "I've still got comments coming every minute, phone calls…

"I didn't realise quite the support that we had. It was a complete 360 [for our mood].

"We just felt, it is worth it. People do care."

Her husband Scott, 54, added: "One person has destroyed the window and upset us, but hundreds have made us feel better.

"I feel some good things have come of this bad thing."

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed officers were called to West Gate at about 06:00 BST following reports of a break-in.

A 42-year-old man was arrested a short time later on suspicion of criminal damage, burglary, and possession of a Class B controlled drug.

He has been released on bail and the investigation is continuing.

A spokesperson for the force added shop theft had fallen "significantly" over the last couple of years and was down slightly this year compared with last year.

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.