Cruel thieves target independent city deli
Selfish thieves smashed their way into an independent Chichester shop, making off with the contents in the till.
Thieves smashed a pane of glass in the door of the West Street Deli at some point in the morning last Thursday (March 30).
Earlier this year, shop owner Jonathan Jones, spoke to this newspaper about the difficulties his business was facing. This burglary is another kick in the teeth.
Jonathan said when he arrived to find his shop has broken into: “I just burst into tears. The whole front door has been kicked in.
"I’m going to lose a day’s trade and trade has been terrible in the last few days. And I’ve got rent going out tomorrow so I’m really going be left without much.”
There is little information available as police carry out investigations into the incident but there is hope that CCTV cameras on the shop front could help to identify the perpetrators.
Johnathan added: "It could have been in the early hours or it could have been as recent as half eight. They walked past the stock and ransacked the till totalling nothing. "I don’t keep cash in there. "It’s the damage and the loss a day’s trade I’m going to lose.”
In an emotional post to Facebook on the day of the break-in, Jonathan said: “We will be closed today due to a break in.
"At the moment I’m just trying to digest this but trade has been so poor for us in recent weeks and with bills due out tomorrow and a loss of a days money, I’m going to struggle even more now.
"All for literally the change in our till, purely after cash and nothing else.”
Johnathan opened the West Street Deli by the Market Cross in December 2021 offering a broad and exciting range of fresh local produce, food hampers, cheeses, anti-pasti and other deli items.
In February, he began offering wines and spirits after securing an alcohol licence and extended its opening hours into the evening.
A post on social media and an article in this newspaper in February explaining why business had been tough for the deli, generated tens of thousands of views.
The following weekend, customers showed their support and the deli had one of its busiest weekends to date.