Wrexham,North Wales - Town centre traders rocked by break-ins at two businesses

Published date: 09 March 2017 | 

Published by: Steve Craddock 
Read more articles by Steve Craddock 

Break-ins at two town centre businesses could cast uncertainty over the future of a shopping arcade, a trader has warned.

North Wales Police were alerted at 7.46am on Wednesday to a break-in at The Perfume Shop in Hope Street.

A police spokesman said raiders had gained entry to the shop by smashing a window and that stock had been stolen.

Then, at 9.35am police received a call about a second break-in at Hair By Zoe Marie, a hairdressing salon in Central Arcade, which is just yards away from the Perfume Shop.

Police have confirmed the salon’s door was forced open and some money was stolen. Both properties are believed to have been broken into overnight between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Steven Vale, owner of Caroline’s Viennese Patisserie in Central Arcade, said the break-ins did not bode well for the future of the arcade.

He said: “It is horrendous, there is no future at the moment with the way things are going – there’s nothing but bad news in Wrexham.

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“I think we’re going to have to move out to be honest, it’s terrible. Every day there is something – the state of the town speaks for itself.”

Mr Vale also said he fears if businesses such as The Perfume Shop endure further break-ins, they and others could decide to move out of the arcade.

He added: “They will only put up with it for so long, then they will move it. If they go, the arcade will be finished I reckon.

“When I come to do my insurance now, the first thing they do is look at the crime in the area and your premiums go up. You’re just working against it all the time.”

Zoe Christopher, owner of Hair By Zoe Marie, opened her salon in the Central Arcade eight weeks ago and told the Leader she was shocked to come in and find her till’s cash float had been taken.

She said: “I came in and one of the girls from the perfume shop said ‘don’t touch anything, you’ve had a break in’.

”At first everything looked perfect but then I realised the float was on the top of the desk and it was empty. I was a bit shaken.

”Luckily nothing else had been taken so I got off quite lightly. We’ve got a shutter on the end, I hope this was a one off. We are quite secure generally.”

Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to the two incidents at the Central Arcade. Anyone who has information is asked to call 101 with reference number V032444 for the hairdressing salon or V032410 for The Perfume Shop.

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/173441/wrexham-town-centre-traders-rocked-by-break-ins-at-two-businesses.aspx