'We've got great support' - South Shields cafe speaks out after being hit by break-in months after opening
The co-owner of a family cafe has said they have been thankful for the support of the community after a break in.
A South Shields cafe which only opened earlier this year has said they are disappointed after being the victims of a break-in.
Uncle Buck’s Coffee Shop on Western Approach served its first coffee in April but had cash taken in an overnight raid this month.
It is the brainchild of father and son duo John Saunders and his son, Ben.
A window was broken by the intruder alongside cash.
“We have about £50 in the till and another £70 or £80 in a float box” explained John.
“As soon as they got that they legged it.”
“It could have been a lot worse, they could have trashed the place.
“We’ve got great support” he added, talking about the days following the incident.
“We’ve got a lot of regulars and they’ve all come and supported us. It’s a really friendly cafe - when they come in they tend to either like us or like the coffee.
“The first thing they say is ‘are you ok?’”
John continued to say the break-in has actually improved their reach: “They did us half a favour, Ben is really good with the internet and he put a reel out which got 70,000 views.
“People really know where we are and what we are.
“We’ve heard from a few local businesses saying they’re sorry to hear what’s happened.
In total the team believe the damage totals £150 thanks to the damage to the site’s front door.
However, the pair also run a wedding decoration company which would have devastated the family company.
“I was really concerned they’d get into there.
It’s worrying because every business is worried about a break in. If they’d got into the showroom it could have caused havoc. It seems like all they wanted to do was get in and out.
“It could have been a thousand times worse.”
Northumbria Police have confirmed enquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the force by calling 101 or the ‘report’ page on its website and use the crime reference number NP-20260711-0280.