News / theft
‘Cinderella’ thief breaks into plant studio by smashing front door glass
The owner of a plant studio is saddened after a “Cinderella” broke into her shop on Friday and left their shoe.
Owner of Sprouts of Bristol in Kingsdown Jessy Edgar admitted having a “ funny feeling” when her security company called her while she was away for a break
“I hoped high wind had set off our vibration sensor,” Jessy added. “But when I heard them say we had an intruder in the shop my heart sank.”
Jessy Edgar opened Sprouts of Bristol on Kingsdown Parade in 2020 – photo: Sprouts of Bristol
The thief is believed to have smashed the front door glass with a brick, before entering and stealing money from the till. Their movements activated the shop’s alarm and in their hurry to leave, the thief left behind a single shoe.
On account of the shoe and the thief’s stealth after sunset, Jessy said they had “lovingly” nicknamed the thief “Cindrella”.
She said: “You just can’t help but laugh at the image of this person walking down the road with £60 cash, down a Nike trainer with a dirty sock wondering which independent business they can target next to get themself a new pair of shoes.”
While Jessy estimated a rough amount of £60 in the till, she said this was a “measly” sum as compared to the damage repair costs.
She said: “The emergency company used to board up the shop securely is likely to invoice us approx 10x this cost, which in itself is a huge amount of loss.
“It’s not easy to make that amount of actual profit in a day after running costs, wages, stock invoices and whatever else.
“Coupled with the loss of sales from not being able to open in the morning whilst forensics where collecting evidence, the cost of replacing such a large piece of glass, getting our vinyl logo and opening times reprinted, the wages spent clearing up the mess and the emotional impact.”
Jessy Edgar said that small buisnesses “never get a break” – photo: Betty Woolerton
Jessy said she was “angry” about the negative impact the break-in will have on her “small and dedicated” team.
“I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe or not welcome at Spouts, especially not the team. It’s not fair.”
Jessy said that even after six years of running Sprouts, she doesn’t make anything near the salary she earned as a graphic designer.
Rising costs, unexpected outgoings, crippling VAT bills and inflation, Jessy said, are already mounting challenges on a small business, which are only magnified by incidents like these.
“Just when we think we are getting a moment to breathe, to sit back and enjoy all the hard work, something like this happens,” she added. “Small businesses just never get a break.”
Jessy also expressed concern for the thief: “My heart does go out to this individual that targeted our shop, firstly because their moral compass must have been so badly skewed to target a small business who just wouldn’t have a huge amount of cash on site on the off chance that what they find is enough money to get their next hit or pay off some debt.
“They could have seriously hurt themselves on the shards of glass when climbing through the door, never mind the impact on their personal and family life if they gets arrested.
“Society has failed this person, and the fact they felt they needed to steal from us in the first place is saddening.”
Jessy said that while people have suggested starting a crowdfunder to raise money for repairs, it feels “odd” to do that with everything else going on in the world right now.
She said: “What we would ask if people do want to support us is to just spread the word, make a purchase, or even just buy a gift card, as it all will help.”
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were called just before 2am on Saturday reporting a break-in at a business on Kingsdown Parade.
“Officers attended to find the front door damaged and cash missing.
“We are speaking with the business owner and enquiries are ongoing, including CCTV trawls and forensic analysis.
“If you were in the area and witnessed anything suspicious, please call 101 and quote reference 5226077770.”
Main photo: Sprouts of Bristol
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