Family butchers suffer after cash taken in raid
ANDREW GARNER has been the proud owner of his family butcher’s since the 1990s when he took over the reins from his dad.
Before that he’d worked there alongside his father Colin Garner learning the skills of the trade.
And for the dad-of-seven, Andrew’s Family Butchers in Maesteg Market is not only his livelihood but a family heirloom and his pride and joy.
His father handed over the business to him in 1999 – 10 years after he first set up shop. And over the past 30 years, the family has built a strong relationship with its customers and the community too.
But in the early hours nine days ago, a mindless thief changed everything – leaving Andrew having to borrow money from his family and lay off a part-time staff member of staff.
A hooded man smashed his way through the front door and ransacked the property before wrenching open the cash deposit safe with a crowbar and making off with every penny.
Andrew, 44, has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket and it’s affecting his business and family life.
“It’s just sickening,” said Andrew, who lives with his wife Debbie and their four youngest children in Maesteg.
The incident has meant Andrew has been forced to borrow money from a family member – a gesture that means he doesn’t have to take out a bank loan and now can’t hire more staff for Christmas.
But he thinks it could be six months before the business is properly on its feet again and he can begin repaying his debts and hire more workers.
One member of staff, who had been working temporarily at the shop, has had his employment unexpectedly cut short.
And plans to hire more staff to cover the busy Christmas period have now also been put on hold.
“It happened in the early hours of Thursday,” said Andrew.
“There was a knock at the door (at home) at around 6.30am and it was the police. They said the shop had been broken into.
“My heart just sank. I ran over there and saw the front door was smashed and all the cupboards had been opened.
“I panicked and went to the back to check the safety deposit box was still there and it had gone.
“I called the staff member who had been working on Wednesday and he said he had left it over the counter. The box was there but it had been opened with a crowbar and the money was gone. They’d taken it all. I feel so stupid for leaving it in the shop. I don’t want to say how much was there but it was in the thousands.
“On Thursday I just broke down. I didn’t know what to do and I couldn’t face going in. Luckily the two other lads there were able to open for me. It wasn’t until Saturday when I was able to go back.”
Andrew said the burglary has not only impacted his businesses but has had an affect on his family life.
“My dad is 70 now and he’s had to come out of retirement to help out because I can’t afford to pay for staff,” he said.
“We’re coming up to Christmas which is the busiest time of the year for us and it means we can’t hire extra staff. The family have offered to help, but they shouldn’t have to.
“Luckily I have a good relationship with my suppliers who will be able to extend the deadline for me to pay. Otherwise, I don’t know what I would do.”
“There was savings in the cash box. We didn’t have any exact plans, but it was there for us to use. We haven’t been very far this summer and now we can’t.”
Andrew has now ramped up the security at the shop thanks to a friend who has offered to update his CCTV equipment and alarm system. Bridgend Town Council has also agreed to upgrade the shutters on the front of the shop to cover the whole property and not just the windows.
And despite the incident, Andrew has vowed to continue running the shop.
“But I can’t let it get to me,” he added. “If I hadn’t taken over from my dad I would have packed it in, but I can’t. I have great customers and I can’t let them down.”
A JustGiving page has been set up to help Andrew get back on his feet.
If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ nat1?utm_term=8WY7nV9bn.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Police in Maesteg are investigating a burglary which took place at Maesteg Market on August 22 sometime between 2am and 6am.
“Access was gained to the premises and into a butchers stall within the market. A quantity of cash was stolen.
“Officers investigating the incident are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who has any information which will help them to identify who may have been responsible to call South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 800 555111 and quote reference 1900309310.”