Coffee shop hails 'incredible support' as it refuses to let burglary stop trade

[dutchman]

Bean & Leaf Coffee House has thanked its 'amazing customers' for helping it through the second raid in two years



A family-run coffee shop is refusing to let a burglary stop it welcoming back customers through its doors in Coventry city centre after the coronavirus shut-down.

Bean & Leaf Coffee House was targeted by one or more intruders who smashed their way in and stole the empty till on Wednesday night (August 12).

The owners have said that it is the second time in two years that the top-rated shop in Hertford Street has been raided. They described the break-in as being among a rising tide of “smashed windows and theft” affecting city centre traders.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (August 13), the shop said: “Unfortunately last night we were broken in to and our door was completely smashed and our till was stolen, thankfully we keep nothing on site and it was an empty till.

“This is the second time in two years that we’ve been broken in to and in the middle of a global pandemic with businesses already struggling it just hurts more.

“This is a growing issue in Coventry City Centre as a lot of our neighbours have felt the hard hit of smashed windows and theft on more than one occasion too.”

The independent, speciality coffee house, which has the maximum five-star score and rave reviews on Tripadvisor, has since reopened as normal.

The shop said: “With being such a small business and just coming out of lockdown, right now we can’t plan or invest in bigger security measures.

“All we can hope for is for this not to be a regular event!

“We’re going to continue to be open as we won’t let this get in the way of delivering you delicious coffee, food and cake! Please be assured that we will make the area as safe as possible for you to enjoy your time with us today!”

The news prompted a flurry of supportive messages from the shop's big fanbase.

Bean & Leaf replied today (August 14): “We want to thank all of you amazing customers you blew us away yesterday with your kind words and generosity!!

“When something so upsetting happens you’ve always showed incredible support and I love this little community. Who said coffee shops can’t be like friends and family!?”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Officers have attended and explored CCTV and forensic opportunities, but unfortunately there are no lines of enquiry to identify the offenders.”